Surfaces Matter™
A BLOG BY THE HEALTHCARE SURFACES INSTITUTE
Learn about the latest challenges and solutions addressing the spread of surface-related infections in healthcare environments
Featured Article
Why Surface Materials Matter in Health Care Settings
A new eye-opening, peer-reviewed article in the American Society for Microbiology by HSI Executive Director Linda Lybert and HSI Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Rodney Rohde: “A healing environment can’t be achieved unless it can be effectively cleaned and disinfected. So how do we move this needle?”
Recent Articles
Surface Disinfection Compatibility Part 3: Costs of “Incompatibility” in Healthcare
In Part 1 of this series, costs related to disinfection and surface incompatibility were reported as upwards of $4.1 million for one device at one hospital in a co-published case study. Part 2...
5 Steps to Prevent Surface-Related Infections
A real-world patient care room – full of critical furnishings, equipment, and tools – comprises hundreds of different surface materials. Unfortunately, the reality is that most of these surfaces...
Surface Disinfection Compatibility Part 2: Selecting Surface Materials
As we explained in Part 1 of this series, Surface Disinfection Compatibility Part 1: What Is It?, infection prevention teams, healthcare facilities designers, and manufacturers of products used for...
Surface Disinfection Compatibility Part 1: What Is It?
Improperly disinfected surfaces in healthcare facilities are a leading cause of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), which kill a person every 5 minutes in the U.S. In response, many training...
Instructions for Use – Confusion and Chaos for Healthcare Professionals
I became involved with HSI as a board member when I was introduced to the purpose and mission of the institute, which are aligned with my role as an Infection Preventionist. I also work with the...
Dr. Garrett Named Fellow in the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Congratulations to one of our Scientific Advisory Board Members, Dr. Hudson Garrett.Infectious Diseases Society of America Honors 199 Distinguished Clinicians, Scientists Dr. John Hudson Garrett Jr....
A Closer Look at Soft-Surface Contamination & Aerosolization
Soft surfaces – such as pillows and mattresses – pose a significant risk for the spread of infection within hospitals. In fact, ECRI Institute listed soft surfaces second on their list of Top Health...
New Case Study: Surface Disinfection Incompatibility with Medical Devices Creates Potential Patient Risks
HSI and AHVAP collaborated on developing this case study, wherein a large hospital purchased several hundred monitoring systems from a medical device company. Within two years, damage to the devices due to chemical exposure during the disinfection process was identified.
Surfaces and the spread of infection in homes – new research by IFH
A new report, “Developing and promoting home and everyday life hygiene to meet 21st Century needs; What can we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?” published in July 2021 by the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH) addresses the spread of infections in our homes and everyday lives.
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