New Technology
Smartphones may interfere with implanted cardiac devices Researchers suggest that if a patient is wearing a cardiac device such as a pacemaker, it is ideal to keep smartphones away from it. Study author Carsten Lennerz from German
Heart Centre, Munich, said, “Pacemakers can mis- takenly detect electromagnetic interference (EMI) from smartphones as a cardiac signal, causing them to briefl y stop working. This leads to a pause in the cardiac rhythm of the pacing dependent patient and may result in syncope. For implantable cardioverter defi brillators (ICDs) the external signal mimics a life threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia, leading the ICD to deliver a painful shock.” It has been recommended by manufacturers and
regulatory institutions including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to maintain a safety dis- tance of 15 to 20 cm between pacemakers or ICDs and mobile phone devices. The current study assessed if the recommended
safety distance was still applicable for the smart- phones, networks and cardiac devices. 3,400 tests on EMI had been carried out and it
was found that one of the 308 patients or 0.3% had been affected by the EMI caused by smartphones.
FDA proposes new criteria for surgical gowns What’s in a name? A bit of confusion, it seems, when it comes to the various types of gowns used in medical settings. Over the years, “a number of terms have been
used to refer to gowns intended for use in health care settings including, but not limited to, surgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, nonsurgical gowns, procedural gowns, and operat- ing room gowns,” according to a newly released draft guidance document (PDF) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This has left some gown manufacturers scratching their heads over whether they must submit a 510(k) application for their products. The FDA seeks to clarify parameters that determine
whether a particular type of gown should be clas- sifi ed as a Class II medical device and thus require premarket notifi cation. The draft guidance proposes that any apparel claiming to provide ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 3 or 4 protection — which corresponds to moderate or high-level barrier protection — is consid- ered a Class II medical device and must demonstrate the liquid barrier performance defi ned within the PB70 standard. In addition, any gown labeled as a “surgical gown,” or one “intended for use during sterile procedures” also falls into this category. The draft guidance also specifi es information that should be submitted as part of the 510(k) application for such Class II gowns. Visit FDA for the draft guidance:
www.fda.gov/
downloads/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationand- Guidance/GuidanceDocuments/UCM452804.pdf.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES State-of-the-cart smarts
Workstation ergonomics, convenience and performance factor into every detail by Valerie J. Dimond
oday’s healthcare workers (HCWs) are shouldering more responsibility and pres- sure than ever before. In order to succeed they need the best tools and resources available — and that includes a variety of well-designed carts and workstations that are functional, adaptable, and ergonomically engineered for comfort and safety. “With ever-increasing efficiency require- ments, the well-being of healthcare personnel is key to delivering high quality care and achieving the desired results,” said Eric Dotson, General Manager at Sovella, a workstation and modular furniture provider in GA. “Healthcare professionals need work spaces that are easy to clean, organized and tailored to their individual needs ... a workstation that is easy to use, move and adjust, in order to concentrate on the patient and the nursing work.”
T
TBJ Model 30-60 PPT-AH Prep & Pack Table
Workstations that really work Dotson says Sovella designs its lightweight, mo- bile workstations and carts with those and other considerations in mind. “Sovella workstations and carts can be organized using accessories, such as bins, creating a system that is perfect for hospitals, where order and the ability to fi nd the right item are paramount,” he said. “This also allows for stations to be tailored to individual worker’s needs. Sovella tables and carts are easily cleaned and organized. Less time is spent searching or reaching for items, saving time while working with patients.” They’re also designed to adapt to changing needs and evolving healthcare processes, says Dotson. “This makes their job more cost-effective because workstations can be adapted to the changing needs instead of working in an ‘old fashioned’ or ill-suited work- station. Instead of changing out old equipment when it no longer meets the needs of the user, Sovella carts and workstations can be adjusted as needs change.”
Sovella
Treatment Medi-Cart with accessories
Todd Campbell, President,
TBJ Inc., says his company provides prep & pack work- stations with various ergo- nomic features designed to promote efficiency, safety and comfort. Individual
42 August 2015 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
www.hpnonline.com
users can easily adjust the table height to their desired comfort level and preference and the table’s ergonomic, front access design makes reaching for supplies and hanging shelf bins fast and effortless. “Our prep & pack tables are
constructed of type 304 stainless steel, making them much easier to clean and maintain,” added Campbell. “In addition to our ergonomic prep & pack tables, TBJ also has a unique line of cart and instrument tray pass-through cabinets with interlocked doors that prevent cross contamina- tion of air from the soiled side to the clean side when transferring carts and trays.” For environmental service (EVS) teams, Sealed Air’s Diversey Care division offers the TASKI Mobile Work Station (TMWS), a unique cleaning system designed to increase effi ciency, sustainability and staff satisfaction. “The Work Station has many features that enable workers to improve compliance with safety protocols and in- corporate best practices including a dedicated area for gloves, other per- sonal protective equip- ment, and wet fl oor signs,” said Carolyn Cooke, Vice President, Healthcare, North America. “The work station also has dedicated locations for cleaning tools, chemicals and consumable supplies, which allows the worker to have everything they need for the job ‘on board’and eliminate repeat trips to the supply closet.”
Sealed Air's TASKI Mobile Work Station
The TMWS design and modular com- ponents hold up to 30 percent more con- sumables than traditional carts while the incorporated pre-wetted microfi ber and/ or disposable cleaning cloths increase effi ciency and reduce the risk of cross con- tamination and worker strain. “During an extensive study, workers using the TMWS exerted up to 80 percent less effort, and were able to increase the speed of patient room cleaning by up to 30 percent,”1
Cooke
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
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