Preparing for lasting challenges of COVID-19

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Due to pressures from highly contagious pathogens, healthcare facilities are seeking all-inclusive offerings to handle decontamination responsibilities and discovering unique solutions for creating private patient areas.

Measures to help slow the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), including COVID-19, require a continued focus on asking both healthcare workers and patients to take proactive steps that prevent cases from rising, including mask wearing, hand hygiene and social distancing. Thankfully, technology is available to support hospitals in taking a proactive approach in their disinfection and isolation practices. Healthcare facilities are implementing enhanced measures to decrease the risk of patient and staff infections at the hospital through advanced decontamination methods and patient flow management efforts.

With constant strain on resources, Ecolab, a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services, has introduced two particularly novel interventions being deployed in the fight against COVID-19 in addition to other HCAIs. The first is the Bioquell Proactive programme, which provides hospitals with a dedicated decontamination team of full-time, on-site engineers performing hydrogen peroxide vapour decontamination using Ecolab’s latest mobile technology in the Bioquell BQ-50.

Bioquell Proactive is a fully managed, turnkey decontamination solution operated by Ecolab. Every aspect of the decontamination process is managed in an all-inclusive package, from the equipment and disinfectant used to the deployment of dedicated, highly trained staff and the coordination, execution and reporting of room decontaminations. All of these efforts work in tandem with infection prevention and bed management teams.

The technology used, Bioquell 35% hydrogen peroxide vapour, inactivates a broad range of microorganisms, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, on every exposed surface within an enclosed patient area. This process is automated, residue-free, repeatable and leaves the area with a verified 6-log sporicidal kill or greater. Ecolab engineers are adept at performing decontaminations leading to greater coverage within a hospital as use of the technology is not dependent on the cleaning staff, who can be under pressure at peak times and diverted to other tasks.

This dedicated offering has become a trusted method of many leading institutions around the world that have placed a long-term emphasis on eliminating the environment sources of infection. As an adjunct to regular cleaning and disinfection, the Bioquell Proactive provides an extra level of decontamination offering broad spectrum efficacy over an extended period time, not simply during peak periods.

The second Ecolab innovation focuses on quickly creating single patient areas through a semi-permanent, customisable room known as the Bioquell Pod. The Bioquell Pod creates a private setting to host patients with minimal disruption in nearly any area in the facility. Each bespoke Bioquell Pod can stand alone or connect to one, two or three existing walls. Through the use of its own air handling unit (AHU) the Bioquell Pod can operate under variable negative or positive air flow. Each Pod AHU contains a HEPA 14 filter, as well as an integrated lighting system. Bioquell Pods have been installed around the world offering facilities the opportunity to create a versatile space to either reduce a patient’s risk of exposure or to keep an infected patient away from others.

Importantly, each Pod can be sealed quickly and works seamlessly with Bioquell decontamination technology, allowing enhanced decontamination of individual bed spaces that would have otherwise been a part of a larger shared space.

These two key infection control solutions help hospitals optimise their processes in place regarding the preparation of their facilities and patient flow management, especially while facing an influx of cases, as for example, seasonal viruses, and for the time being, SARS-CoV-2 virus. The pressure to provide safe environments for patients will always be a priority, providing an ongoing challenge for healthcare facilities. Hospitals need to seek out effective, impactful solutions to ensure they can meet this growing need and Ecolab is ready to help.