Tag: hospital

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Telehealth: COVID Trend or the Healthcare of the Future?

Telehealth has been a growing trend over the past 5 years, and the coronavirus pandemic has rapidly accelerated its use, but will telemedicine and Telehealth continue to grow, or will it die out with the pandemic?

First, let’s define Telehealth and Telemedicine, what do the terms really mean?

  • Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies to access healthcare services remotely and manage health care. Telehealth can refer to many different things including health education services, remote monitoring of vital signs, and other remote clinical and non-clinical services.
  • Telemedicine is a much more focused term which refers specifically to remote clinical care between a patient and a doctor.

The idea of telemedicine has been around for a long time, but its potential is only just beginning to be realized. Physician use of telemedicine has been growing over the past few years, in fact its use rose 340% between 2015 and 2018, with about 22% of doctors using telemedicine in 2018 compared to just 5% in 2015. The big jump in telemedicine services is due to patient demand, as a 2017 survey found that 77% of patients would see a physician virtually.

Patients can use Telehealth services in different ways and for different issues. In 2016, the top diagnostic category for Telehealth was mental health which accounted for 31% of all claims, but the category fell in 2017 to only account for 7% of claims. Other categories rose to fill in this gap in 2017 with injuries or digestive system issues making up 13% of all Telehealth diagnoses.

How is Telehealth changing and helping doctors treat their patients? Here are a few trends that we are seeing.

Telemedicine is starting to be covered by more insurers

As telemedicine has exploded in recent months, more insurance companies as well as government programs are covering it, making it easier for patients to get the care they need. In fact, when the COVID-19 pandemic first struck America, the Trump Administration “Took bold and rapid action to dramatically expand services that can be provided via telehealth and make it far more convenient for patients and providers”, according to Alex M. Azar, the HHS secretary. As the entire healthcare landscape changed with the pandemic, the government and insurance companies are working to make it easier for everyone to receive the care that they need without having to risk their own or others health. In February of 2020, less than 1% of Medicare primary care visits were done via telemedicine, and as that number rocketed up to 43.5% in April, the government took the necessary action to facilitate this change.

There are till obstacles to fully utilize telemedicine

Although telemedicine has been a great solution to provide care during a highly contagious pandemic, it is not yet perfect and some doctors are still hesitant to fully embrace it. In 2018, a survey found that 90% of physicians viewed virtual care positively, but only 14% had the video capabilities at that time. Additionally, many patients that would greatly benefit from telemedicine do not have the technology to utilize it. Another obstacle that doctors must overcome is simply how new telemedicine is. Many older doctors who are great at their jobs and providing in-person care, do not get the training or knowledge they need about telemedicine to be able to accept it in practice.

It's all about mHealth

The use of mobile devices as a way to administer Telehealth services is called mHealth, and it is a growing trend. Using mobile devices is convenient and easy for many patients as a way to get the care they need and communicate with physicians. Many apps have been developed to help with mHealth, and many more are being developed to help find the right way for patients to be treated virtually. As most people own a smart phone device, mHealth is expected to continue gaining momentum and become one of the most common forms of Telehealth in the future.

Medical students are getting better telemedicine training than in the past

Technology is constantly evolving and improving, especially in the healthcare industry, so future doctors are learning about new technologies and how they will be able to use them to help treat their patients. Some older doctors that have used their tried and true strategies to care for patients are less inclined to adopt new technologies when they have already been able to treat certain conditions. However, many younger doctors are much more open to utilize new technologies in their practices because they have grown up in a more digital world. With the next generation of doctors getting better training and education about Telehealth, it is likely that over the next few years, the use of Telehealth will continue to rise and will be used in more ways.

Artificial intelligence is gaining traction in the healthcare industry

Artificial intelligence something that has the potential to completely change the world, but for now, it is starting to be accepted by physicians as a tool to help treat patients more effectively. Specifically for telemedicine, there are many different ways that A.I. would be able to enhance the patient experience, and make it easier for a doctor to make a correct diagnosis. Some people in the industry are worried that A.I. could take over the need for a physician and take their job, but in reality it should be looked at as a tool to make their jobs easier. There will always be a need for doctors as the human interaction plays a big role in helping patients feel comfortable and safe during their visit.

Is Telehealth here to stay?

Telehealth has been extremely useful for helping patients receive care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and had been trending upwards even before coronavirus hit. We are only just starting to see all of the possibilities that Telehealth presents, and with the government and other insurers adding extra coverage for it, we should expect to continue to see its growth. Telehealth will not die out when the pandemic ends, and maybe the next time you need to visit a doctor, you’ll simply have to open an app on your phone.

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4 Ways Improved Hand Hygiene Can Change the World as We Know It

Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have become hyper-aware of the importance of proper hand hygiene. Yet, there still exist various misconceptions regarding the proper way to wash hands, while others still downplay the value of regular handwashing. In fact, the benefits of washing your hands with soap and water go beyond reducing the transmission of coronaviruses. As societies across the globe continue to promote the importance of regular handwashing in a way that leads to a sustained improvement in hand hygiene, there are many positive outcomes that this can lead to outside of the coronavirus pandemic.

Proper Handwashing: A Review

Before we delve into the possible outcomes for regular handwashing, let’s discuss what we (think) we already know: Proper handwashing. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a flood of information educating people around the globe on proper hand hygiene in an effort to slow the virus’ spread. Government health agencies, including the WHO and the US-based CDC, provided excellent, detailed information to assist this movement. According to the CDC, the handwashing checklist is as follows:

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Along with the various governmental promotions for hand hygiene, governments began encouraging celebrities and social media influencers to promote proper hand hygiene through the #handwashingchallenge. Before long, most of our social media feeds were overwhelmed with videos of athletes from Allison Becker of Brazil’s National soccer team, to movie stars to the likes of Hugh Jackman, encouraging hand hygiene to their millions of followers.

Before long, most of the world was stuck in a dizzying frenzy of hectic handwashing after touching any public surface, where many people began reporting severe dry hands due to excessive handwashing. Additionally, more specific questions began to arise, such as; How hard should I scrub my hands? – or – Is there such a thing as too much handwashing?

Mistakes and Misconceptions of Handwashing

As our handwashing becomes more frequent, many of us have inadvertently picked up bad habits in our hand hygiene. The most common being washing our hands too forcefully or too frequently. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, you should wash your hands at the following times:

  • After arriving at home
  • After coughing or blowing your nose
  • Before making or eating food
  • After playing with animals
  • After using the toilet
  • After being outdoors
  • Before and after changing contact lenses

Notice that it did not mention anything about vigorously washing your hands every 5 minutes from COVID-induced paranoia? All joking aside, the age-old truth regarding moderation in everything applies to handwashing as well. According to an article from Medscape Medical News, many of us are scrubbing our hands too hard, impacting an important top layer of our skin that helps keep germs away. It goes on to detail the fine line between rubbing versus scrubbing with Carrie Kovarik, MD from the Perelman School of Medicine remarking, “You don’t want to scrub because scrubbing will damage the skin barrier and possibly let in germs.” Instead of forcefully scrubbing our hands, doctors recommend gently washing hands in “a hand-over-hand motion, from palm to palm, back of the hands, around nails and up to the wrists.”

Possible Outcomes of Regular Handwashing

Now that we have established a clear picture of what proper hand hygiene looks like, we can imagine what outcomes might arise from regular handwashing. With the world’s attention focused on proper hand hygiene, many are wondering how this might impact population health outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. We can make many assumptions based on small scale benefits to populations and extrapolating those results across larger populations. Although these benefits are only potential outcomes, it is exciting to imagine the possibilities that can come about from this increased focus in hand hygiene.

Lower Incidences of Respiratory Diseases

In 2016, a study published in the Baltimore Medicine Journal observed a correlation between increased hand-washing and a reduction in influenza at a statistically significant level. Participants in the study were given a handwashing score based on the availability of washing stations and the availability of soap, among other factors. They were then evaluated for their protective effect towards confirmed influenza, and the researchers observed and analyzed which behaviors correlated with the groups with the highest protective effect. The highest behaviors associated with a high protective effect were frequent handwashing, the availability of soap for handwashing, and reduced levels of hand-to-face touching.

This study is one of many that organizations like the CDC and WHO refer to when making recommendations to national/international populations during a time of a pandemic. As we are all aware of the importance of handwashing in the reduction of COVID-19, this behavior is proven to reduce the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases as well. With this being said, it is possible that given the rapid, worldwide development in hand hygiene, we could be seeing lower levels of seasonal respiratory sicknesses in the future.

Decline in Healthcare-associated Infections

According to data from the CDC regarding healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), on a given day, about 3% of hospital patients has at minimum one HAI. Hospitals across the world are always looking for ways to reduce this statistic, as hospitalized individuals are often the most vulnerable to experience complications from infections. There are many common practices that hospitals enact to tackle this issue, with one of them being.. you guessed it, handwashing.

Healthcare workers follow strict protocols to ensure they are maintaining a clean environment for their patients and not tracking problematic pathogens throughout a facility. Handwashing is an important common practice that has been proven to reduce the risk of transmission of HAIs according to a 2002 CDC study. This is why most hospitals have sinks in patient rooms and also why we, at Lakeside, offer portable handwashing stations for areas that don’t have built-in sinks available.

If population health increases due to improved hand hygiene, hospitals could see a decrease in the number of potential illnesses entering a hospital environment. On a large scale, this could lead to an overall reduction in HAIs and improvements in patient health.

Improvement of Child Development in Developing Countries

In 2003 the CDC performed a study to monitor the effects of hygiene on child development and observed interesting results. When comparing groups who received an extensive 9 month hygiene promotion and soap against groups who did not receive the same hygiene education nor supplies, the children experienced nearly half as much diarrhea-related sicknesses than the control group in their first 2 ½ years of their lives, which is a critical time for child development. 6 years later, the children from the study were reevaluated for cognitive development. The children who received hygiene education and hygiene supplies scored higher than the control group. According to the study, the findings suggest that “handwashing promotion could be an important strategy for improving child welfare.”

Given the increased awareness around the world regarding proper hand hygiene and the increased availability of hygiene resources, it may be possible that the effects of the CDC study transfer to the real world. If this were to happen, we may see improvements in child development on a grand scale, as children in developed countries avoid illness and chronic inflammation related to diarrhea-linked diseases.

Reduction in Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is an issue of growing importance in the world. This takes place when bacteria evolves to overcome the intended effects of a given antibiotic. Various infections rely on antibiotics for treatment. If a bacteria develops antibiotic resistance, this has the potential to transform a curable sickness into a deadly illness.

The CDC states that the leading factor in antibiotic resistance is overuse of antibiotics. Many times, antibiotics are prescribed to individuals when they are not needed, leading to an increased risk of a bacteria developing antibiotic resistance. Research by the CDC indicates that handwashing leads to a reduction in diarrhea-related sicknesses and respiratory infections, diseases that are often unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics for treatment. Therefore, some speculate that a reduction in these diseases, due to handwashing or other factors, could impact global rates of antibiotic resistance.

The New Normal

Our world has quickly transformed into a hyper-aware, germaphobic one due to the brisk rise of the coronavirus pandemic, however, perhaps this acute awareness was long overdue. If international populations continue to emphasize hand hygiene in their COVID-19 responses and this leads to a sustained improvement in hand hygiene; we could see many beneficial outcomes that improve world populations beyond the pandemic. We have long been aware of the importance of hand hygiene in hospitals, schools and densely populated areas. Due to the sudden change in human behavior regarding hand hygiene, it is exciting to consider what possible outcomes might arise. As healthcare professionals, we will keep promoting proper hand hygiene and at Lakeside, we will continue to offer products that promote access to handwashing.

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Soap and Water or Hand Sanitizer? Which creates better Hand Hygiene?

Washing your hands has always been super important in healthcare facilities in order to prevent Hospital Acquired Illnesses (HAIs) or healthcare-associated infections which affect about 1 in every 31 patients. With the outbreak of COVID-19, it’s even more important for healthcare professionals, and all of us to practice good hand hygiene.

What is good hand hygiene?

Having good hand hygiene means keeping your hands clean as much as possible. The best way to practice proper hand hygiene is to wash your hands with soap and water, or to use hand sanitizer whenever your hands may have come into contact with a dirty surface. Dirty surface doesn’t just mean visibly dirty, as many surfaces that appear to be clean could actually be covered in germs and bacteria. If you’re not sure whether you need to clean your hands, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and wash up!

Soap and water or hand sanitizer?

The best ways to clean your hands is by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer. While hand sanitizer removes most germs, it does not remove all germs from your hands, and studies show that soap and water are more effective at removing certain types of germs. This is why the CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water whenever possible, and using hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

When to Wash your Hands

Here are some of the times when the CDC recommends that you wash your hands with soap and water.

  • Before, after, or during any food preparation
  • Before eating food
  • Before and after caring for someone who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
  • Before and after treating a cut or wound
  • After using the bathroom
  • After changing diapers or cleaning up for a child who has used the bathroom
  • After touching an animal or animal waste
  • After handling pet treats or food
  • After touching a garbage
  • Anytime that your hands are visibly dirty or greasy

When to Use Hand Sanitizer

Here are a couple of instances in which the CDC believes hand sanitizer will work to remove germs and bacteria.

  • Before and after visiting someone who is in a hospital or healthcare facility
  • If soap and water are not readily available

Proper Hand Washing

We’ve all been taught the importance of regular hand washing from a young age, but do you know how to correctly wash your hands? According to the CDC, there are a few steps for the proper hand washing technique.

  1. Wet your hands with warm water
  2. Apply the amount of soap that the manufacturer recommends
  3. Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 15 seconds, making sure cover all parts of your hands with soap
  4. Rinse your hands with more water
  5. Lastly, dry your hands with a paper towel or air dryer, and turn off the faucet with the towel to avoid any lingering germs.

Proper Hand Sanitizing

It seems like it’s obvious how to use hand sanitizer, but not everyone sanitizes their hands correctly.  Here are the steps for correctly sanitizing your hands.

  1. First, you should make sure that you are using a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol in order for it to be effective
  2. Put the amount of product that the manufacturer recommends on your hands and start to rub them together
  3. Continue rubbing your hands together for about 20 seconds until your hands are completely covered and dry
  4. Once your hands are dry, they will be sterile and you should be ready to move on to your next task

 

Hand Hygiene in Hospitals

Even among healthcare professionals, there is a need for better and more thorough hand hygiene training. In fact, a study was done which showed that even before COVID-19 took the world by storm, 40% of healthcare professionals wanted better hand hygiene training. According to the CDC, on average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times that they should which contributes to 1 of every 31 hospital patients contracting a HAI. So even though it may seem obvious that clean hands are super important for healthcare professionals, there is a need for more training and knowledge when it comes to hand hygiene.

When to Wash your Hands in the Hospital

Soap and water are very effective at cleaning your hands and removing pesky germs and bacteria that hand sanitizer will not. Here are a few circumstances when you should make sure to wash your hands when in a healthcare facility.

  • Anytime hands are visibly soiled.
    • Hand Sanitizer is not very effective at removing dirt and other germ-filled substances that may build up on your hands. Whenever you can physically see anything on your hands, wash them!
  • After caring for a person who may have infectious diarrhea
    • Diarrhea is caused by difficile, a common HAI that hand sanitizers are not able to get rid of.
  • After a potential exposure to spores
    • Spores are infections caused by bacteria that is resistant to hand sanitizers and require a thorough washing with soap and water to kill the bacteria.

When to use Hand Sanitizer in the Hospital

Although it is always best to wash your hands when possible, here are some instances in which hand sanitizer will do the trick.

  • Immediately before touching a patient
    • Using hand sanitizer before any contact with a patient is always the smart thing to do, even if you have recently washed!
  • Before performing any aseptic tasks
    • Hand hygiene is super important when it comes to any invasive medical devices, and you should make sure that everything, including yourself, is clean and sterile
  • Before moving to work on a clean part of a patient’s body from a soiled point of their body
    • You should frequently be sanitizing when working directly with patients, even if they are the only thing you’ve had contact with!
  • After touching a patient or their immediate environment
    • Always sanitize your hands when you’re done working with a patient, and before you move on to your next tasks
  • After contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces
    • Sanitize after any contact with an un-sterile surface or object, and wash your hands if there is any remnants!
  • Immediately after glove removal
    • You may think that the inside of your gloves are sterile and clean, but sweat can build up inside and cause germs and bacteria to cover your hands.

 

Myths about Hand Hygiene

Myth 1: Frequent Hand Washing dries out your skin

While washing your hands too much can cause the skin on your hands to dry out, it is likely that the reason for this is the water you are using is too hot. Using warm water drastically effects the amount of dryness that can come from hand washing, and will ensure that you are able to keep your hands clean whenever they need to be.

Myth 2: Hand Sanitizer causes antibiotic resistance

Some people claim that hand sanitizers can lead to antibiotic resistance, but this simply isn’t the case. The main cause of antibiotic resistance is repeated improper use of antibiotics according to the CDC.

Myth 3: All germs are the same

This is not accurate, as there are many different types of germs and bacteria that can build on your hands, some of which require soap and water rather than hand sanitizer to be taken care of.

Myth 4: Antibacterial soap reduces the amount of times you need to wash

Antibacterial soap is great for cleaning your hands, but studies show that it isn’t significantly better than normal hand soap. It also does not mean that you have to wash your hands less than you would with normal soap.

Is Hand Sanitizer really more convenient in Hospitals?

The main reason why healthcare facilities use hand sanitizer much more than soap and water is simply because it is much easier to quickly sanitize your hands with a busy schedule, something most healthcare professionals have every day. Sanitizer is easy to carry around with you or to put out for people to use on something like Lakeside’s high-traffic sanitizer dispenser, but that doesn’t mean that washing with soap and water is difficult!

To effectively wash your hands with soap and water, all you need is 30 seconds and a sink. Lakeside has helped to create a solution to one of those parts with the portable handwashing station, which allows you to put a sink with soap and water anywhere in your facility. This product also gives you the ability to move it around to areas that require more intense hand hygiene, and makes it easy to wash your hands with soap and water without a trip to the bathroom.

If time is a big concern in your healthcare facility, make sure to check out Lakeside’s product solutions designed to ensure efficient and proper hand hygiene for all healthcare professionals!

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The Ergonomics of Medical Carts

Ergonomics in the healthcare industry has become a serious area of discussion in recent medical news. According to the United States Department of Labor, workers compensation for the healthcare industry amount to nearly $1 billion per year. Healthcare workers are essential in providing care but unfortunately this line of work exposes workers to many opportunities for ergonomic stressors. Hospitals pose a variety of risks including hazardous materials exposure and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Common tasks for hospital workers can create awkward postures that can contribute to injury or repetitive stress disorders. Employee injuries lead to increased costs, higher turnover and short staffing throughout a medical facility.

Ergonomic designs of hospital equipment are becoming more and more necessary for injury prevention.  When it comes to equipment, repetitive motions such as heavy lifting, pushing, and bending are high risk activities that can lead to physical strain on healthcare workers. At Lakeside Manufacturing, we place a high value on design and have recognized that medical carts, especially heavy duty stainless steel carts and surgical case carts, can be a source of ergonomic stressors when not properly outfitted.  We want to share some of the engineering innovations we have developed in order to improve the ease of use for healthcare workers and reduce the risk of repetitive stress related injuries.

 

All Swivel Casters for Easy Maneuvering

 

Any medical cart that is pushing or pulling heavy loads should roll smoothly with ease.  The Lakeside Ergonomic Series of stainless steel medical carts employs all swivel casters for easy transportation of equipment and continuous hauling of heavy loads.  These casters also allow for easy maneuverability over uneven floor or outdoor surfaces.  Medical carts should not require much effort from the user.  Even with a full load, medical carts should not require much effort from the operator.  When carts are difficult to push, workers put excess strain on their bodies.  It may not seem like an immediate risk to “put some muscle into it” but overtime, repetitive movements can lead to chronic pain or injury.

 

“Safe Zone” Shelves for Repetitive Loading and Unloading

 

Bending down to access supplies can easily cause excess strain on the back.  Especially if medical carts are stocked with heavy equipment that needs to be loaded and unloaded on a regular basis.  The Ergo-One 1,000lb capacity stainless steel medical cart is ergonomically engineered with exactly that in mind.  Shelf heights are in a safe zone for improved accessibility and decreased strain on the user.  The bottom shelf is 20 inches from the floor, leading to a significant reduction in the bending required to reach.

 

Ergonomic Handle for Natural Grip

 

Safe carts are predictable carts.  If a medical cart is making unexpected motions or is difficult to control, this can put the operator at risk.  The operator controls the cart, not the other way around.  Ergonomic handles play a role in easily maintaining control of the cart.  Lakeside has developed an angled handle that allows for a comfortable, natural grip to reduce strain of the user.  This design also allows for increased control and manueverability.

Lakeside Custom Solutions

Our Ergonomic Engineered medical carts are one of the many product solutions available at Lakeside.  We specialize in supporting your needs for customized solutions.  If there are additional modifications or features you are looking for, we will either help you find it or build it for you.

Case Carts

Lakeside case carts are highly configurable, all-welded stainless steel construction. Closed case carts are a perfect option for transferring cases from a remote processing area and open case carts provide efficiency to fit a lean picking and processing system. Rest assured that Lakeside’s carts are durable and will serve you well for years to come.

Utility Carts

Lakeside has been the leading manufacturer of stainless steel and plastic utility carts for decades.  Our Utility Carts feature a wide variety of products for any area of your operation.  Whether it is our very first stainless steel cart design, the 311, or a heavy duty guard rail utility cart, we can supply you with the perfect solution for your facility.

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The Top 3 Factors when it Comes to Hospital Cleanliness

Each year, an estimated 722,000 patients in the U.S. are infected by hospital-acquired pathogens.  This alarming statistic has motivated hospital organizations and healthcare professionals to consistently evaluate and reassess hospital cleaning methods.  Although there exist many studies relating to the effectiveness of various hospital cleaning methods, there is no consensus on a single method proven to be most effective.  As a manufacturer and supplier to the healthcare industry, Lakeside Manufacturing strives to stay up to date on hospital cleaning practices.  We see facilities with all types of cleaning practices and want to share our insights on the top 3 factors that can set your hospital apart when it comes to hospital cleanliness.

#1 Hand Hygiene

A systematic review of 80 studies relating to hospital cleaning strategies concluded that although there are many proven ways to reduce the amount of pathogens in a hospital setting, there are not enough comparative studies to identify superior monitoring or disinfecting strategies.  Health experts recommend a combination of proven methods to maintain a clean hospital environment and reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). However, a very consistent and principal factor in hospital cleanliness is hand washing practices.  A 270 page report published by the WHO details various guidelines, hand-washing methods and hand washing agents that have been proven to mitigate the level of HAIs in hospital settings.

#2 Extra Attention for High Touch Surfaces

Objects and surfaces in patient care areas that are handled frequently by several different users are more likely to be contaminated.  According to a review of multiple studies, items that were most likely to be contaminated were privacy curtains, sinks, bed linens and hospital personnel clothing. These high-touch surfaces require extra attention as they can enable pathogens to cultivate and spread throughout the patient environment. Additionally, high mobility items such as hospital carts, food carts and IV stands should be sanitized diligently to prevent pathogen spread from one patient location to another.  The CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) recommend cleaning high touch surfaces more frequently.

#3 Cleaning According to Manufacturer Instructions

Another key factor in hospital cleanliness was the ability for hospital staff to follow recommended sanitization instructions for items located in the hospital. Specific manufactured items such as IV stands, hospital machinery and hospital carts should be sanitized following the manufacturer’s instructions. Different types of pathogens exist for varying durations depending on the material and are best cleaned with methods specific to the item. Therefore, hospitals should pay close attention to these recommendations rather than using a single uniform method.

The Importance of Patient Safety

With patient safety at the forefront, reducing the abundance of hazardous pathogens in the hospital environment is a clear way to improve patient outcomes.  A lack of comparative studies makes it difficult to discern a clear best-practice for hospital cleaning, but practicing proper hand-hygiene, identifying and cleaning high-touch items, and following manufacturer’s cleaning instructions are proven methods to improving hospital cleanliness when performed simultaneously. At Lakeside Manufacturing, we feel it is important for all of us within the medical community to stay up to date on this topic.  We aim to work with hospitals and manufacturers towards the shared goal of eliminating healthcare-associated infections.  For more information on how to disinfect Lakeside products, review our page on cleaning stainless steel.  We also welcome any feedback or additional information related to patient safety, cleaning practices or Lakeside products.

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Selecting the Right Material for Healthcare Facilities

Within a single healthcare facility, there can be thousands of pieces of equipment if not more. Each piece of equipment plays an important role in treating patients and assisting healthcare professionals. With their various functions, equipment is constructed of many different materials. We’ll explore some of these material choices and take a look at their differences, similarities and their role within your hospital.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials used for medical equipment, and there’s a good reason for this. Stainless steel is extremely strong and durable, and one of the best metals when it comes to corrosion resistance, making it a great long term solution for many types of medical equipment. Additionally, stainless steel is praised for its self-healing ability, which is caused by the addition of chromium to the alloy. This creates a film on the surface of the metal which is very stable, and will continually reform, making the surface durable and hygienic. Stainless steel is antimicrobial and very easy to clean due to its self-healing properties, making it an ideal material for healthcare facilities that require sterile equipment.

Some common applications of stainless steel in healthcare facilities include:

  • Surgical instruments
  • Sinks and hand washing stations
  • Tables
  • Cabinets
  • Trays
  • Surgical Case Carts

Surgical instruments and equipment are among the most important applications of stainless steel.  Lakeside Manufacturing embodies the value of stainless steel in many of our surgical case carts.  For example, our new space saving case cart is highly durable and easy to clean while delivering heavy duty construction and efficient maneuverability.

Aluminum

Aluminum is another popular material in healthcare facilities. Although it doesn’t quite have the strength of stainless steel, aluminum is still a strong and durable metal that is well known for its corrosion resistance. Aluminum is the light weight alternative when compared to stainless steel and can be easier to maneuver when used for light loads. Another useful property of aluminum is its thermal and electrical conductivity, which is necessary in some types of medical equipment. Aluminum is a great option for equipment that doesn’t require a high level of strength, durability, or heavy duty load capacity.

Some common applications of aluminum in healthcare facilities include:

  • Supply Carts
  • Frames for medical carts
  • Stools
  • Tables

The Classic Anesthesia Cart from Lakeside Manufacturing uses aluminum to create a secure and lightweight solution for healthcare facilities. This medical cart is just one example of a medical cart that utilizes an aluminum frame for a lightweight design.

Plastic

Even more lightweight than aluminum is plastic.  Plastic is a very workable material and can be formed into virtually any shape for various equipment types.  Medical carts is one major application of plastic but the material is an extremely versatile material.  Plastic doesn’t match the durability of stainless steel or aluminum, but it can still be adequately strong for certain applications. There are so many different types of plastics that can all be used in various ways but the majority of plastics in healthcare facilities are made from thermoplastic materials, making them easy to disinfect, re-mold and re-use.  Plastic is a viable and cheapest alternative to metals like stainless steel and aluminum. Plastics are utilized in almost endless ways in healthcare facilities from very large machinery to small accessories and everything in between.

Some common applications of plastics in healthcare facilities include:

  • Utility Carts
  • Specialty Carts
  • Medical Carts
  • Bins
  • MRI Machines
  • Bed Pans
  • Medication Lock Boxes

Lakeside utilizes plastic in the construction of several utility carts and components of several other products.  Our stainless steel medical carts include polycarbonate doors that compliment the rugged stainless steel construction without adding to the weight of the medical cart.  The use of plastic also allows for the integration of a transparent window in the door itself.  The scratch-resistant window allows for healthcare workers to easily see inside without opening the medical cart.  For surgical case carts, plastic is a great material for flexible features and customization.

Copper

Although copper is not widely used in medical equipment today, it has been getting some buzz in the media lately due to its antimicrobial properties. A recent study found that copper alloy surfaces kill 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours. This is due to the properties of copper which allow it to remove an electron from the bacteria once it comes into contact with the copper surface.  This makes the bacteria unstable and eventually kills it.  These abilities make copper seem like the perfect material for surgical case carts and other equipment.  However, it is very expensive and not as workable as other material alternatives like stainless steel and aluminum.

One argument from health economists estimates that copper surfaces would pay for themselves in about 3-6 months if they were incorporated into ICUs.  Studies have shown that it kills a long list of microbes and has the potential to play an invaluable role in healthcare facilities.  The Sentara Hospital system in North Carolina and Virginia made copper-impregnated surfaces the standard across 13 hospitals in 2017 after a Virginia Beach hospital reported a 78 percent reduction in drug-resistant organisms.  While some hospitals are beginning to incorporate copper surfaces, the full potential of this material is yet to be seen in healthcare settings.

Lakeside’s Commitment to Innovation

At Lakeside Manufacturing, we works with steel, plastic, aluminum and pretty much anything our customers require.  We offer custom solutions to meet your needs, no matter the challenge.  Our engineering team has the capabilities to modify existing products or completely custom build medical carts, offering an endless variety of options!  With years of design and customer service experience, we thrive on innovation and finding practical solutions to meet your needs.  If you’re not seeing the right solution in our standard catalog contact us!  We are happy to discuss your unique application and hear your ideas.

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Hospitals and Organizations Work Together to Prepare for COVID-19 Surges

Hospitals and governments around the world are expeditiously preparing their state, community and hospitals for a surge of COVID-19 cases.  Personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, shields, gloves, booties and gowns are most notably in short supply and many organizations are stepping up to manufacture and/or donate these materials.  The world has also seen many creative solutions from engineers and businesses who are working hard to partner with hospitals in this fight against the virus.  As a supplier to the healthcare industry, we are doing our best to ensure high demand items such as isolation carts, IV Poles, and mobile hand washing stations are available to these organizations with the same swift lead times customers have come to expect from Lakeside Manufacturing.

The most prominent shortage in hospitals around the world is a lack of personal protective equipment for hospital personnel. PPE is essential to protect hospital staff from exposure and ultimately infection. Hospitals have already taken drastic measures to limit the use of these items with reports of some hospitals recommending that staff reuse masks following the recommended protocol of the CDC. Additionally, many organizations are coming together to donate PPE to hospitals across the US. The website getusppe.org is one of the resources hospitals have turned to which allows hospitals to list their PPE needs and delivery instructions while allowing donors to identify local hospitals that need supplies.

Other ways in which hospitals have been able to combat supply shortages is through informal partnerships with businesses, manufacturers and universities. One example of this comes from the University of Madison-Wisconsin Grainger Design Innovation Lab where engineers have created a prototype and already partnered with a manufacturer to assemble face shields for hospital personnel. This type of successful innovation has occurred across the world as businesses outside the healthcare industry creatively repurpose their facilities to help combat this global crisis.

As a supplier to the healthcare industry, Lakeside understands the importance of readying inventory to prepare for the needs of our clients. Lakeside’s manufacturing facilities have been working hard to ensure they can do their part to serve as a reliable and safe source of stainless steel medical carts during this global situation. Specifically, Lakeside is ensuring that the following products will be available to ship within 2-3 days of order:

  • Utility cart models 422, 311, 411, 444 and 459 are ideal for all sizes of storage and continuous transporting over even floor surfaces. These carts are durable and include protective bumpers to safeguard furnishings and sanitize easily.
  • Standard guard rail cart models 316, 526 and 730 are optimal for any situation where hospital personnel are transporting vital items which can easily fall off a cart. Protective guard rails help eliminate spills and breakage of materials ensuring hospitals reduce the risk of wasting critical medical supplies. The welded stainless steel construction provides exceptional durability and easy sanitation.
  • The 4 shelf compact utility cart with nylon cover is a compact, maneuverable cart available in three different shelf sizes to tailor to client needs. The all-welded stainless steel construction allows for a durable and sanitary option in linen delivery. The standard blue nylon cart cover protects linens from airborne dust and dirt, while at the same time allowing for easy accessibility to the contents of the cart.

Lakeside continues to monitor the global environment related to COVID-19 and is taking proactive measures to ensure operations continue to the satisfaction of customers.  Visit our COVID-19 Resource Page to see more insights from our team. As hospitals face increased pressure to prepare their facilities for COVID-19, Lakeside is working diligently to help secure the supply of essential healthcare products that play a role in distributing and storing PPE throughout healthcare facilities.  The supply lines of the healthcare industry are vital to fighting this virus, and here at Lakeside we will continue to do our part in serving the industry during this time of need.

Lakeside Has You Covered

 

Check out our COVID-19 resources page and product solutions pages for helpful, informative, and up to date information relevant to the pandemic in real time.

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Hospitals are Gearing up for Isolation Areas and Triage Tents

Hospitals are diligently working to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities.  Isolating symptomatic patients as soon as possible is a key factor for infection control in healthcare settings.  With the goal of minimizing exposure to patients and healthcare personnel, hospitals are working fast to set up isolation areas and triage tents.

Hospitals are sectioning off isolation areas, where a limited number of healthcare personnel are allowed access. Triage tents are set up outside of hospitals, where visitors are screened coming into the hospital in order to limit the number of individuals entering the facility and the spread of infection within the facility. Equipment and supplies utilized in these units are restricted to these areas as another method to limit infection spread. This is pushing hospitals to allocate resources to isolation areas and triage tents to handle a surge of COVID-19 cases.

Triage Tents

The World Health Organization lists guidance for strengthening clinical management of COVID-19 patients. Triage is the first step in recognizing and sorting patients based on their symptoms. Since much of COVID-19 testing is manual, triage tents are beneficial for creating an alternative space for testing away from other patient areas. Many of these tents are being set up outdoors and are similar to tents you might see at a large event. Inside the tent, hospitals are preparing to supply the equipment necessary for efficient screening. A look inside these tents shows some of the items hospitals are accounting for in their triage tents.

  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a priority for triage tents. This include gloves, masks, gowns and other equipment that serves as an infection barrier for healthcare personnel and infected patients.
  • PPE must be stored in an accessible and sanitary environment that is easily transportable by healthcare personnel. Stainless steel Lakeside Case Carts are manufactured in various sizes and weight capacities allow hospitals to select the best fit for their triage space.
  • Healthcare personnel are also taking more extensive protection measures by wearing impermeable gowns and Power Air Purifying Respirators or N95 Respirators and eye protection. These are only some of the various examples that are being used in triage tents to protect against airborne illnesses.
  • Mobile handwashing stations are units supplied with soap and water to maintain high sanitary standards for healthcare professionals in triage tents. Units like the Lakeside Compact Portable Handwashing Station help conserve space and are easily transportable.
  • Tables and chairs must be set up for healthcare workers to better triage patients coming into the hospital. The setup design also serves as physical barrier to prevent patients from easily walking into the hospital before being properly triaged.
  • Emergency carts are designed to easily access life-saving equipment and medication in the event that a patient needs emergency treatment. They are typically located throughout most hospital departments as a precautionary measure. The lightweight Persolife Emergency Cart allows easy accessibility to vital healthcare supplies.

Isolation Rooms

Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIRs) are a standard for hospitals but many facilities are anticipating that existing capacity will not be sufficient during this time.  AIIRs use negative air pressure to prevent airborne illnesses from escaping the room and infecting others.  These areas have been used for illnesses such as tuberculosis or measles in the past.  With a looming surge of COVID-19 patients, hospitals need to prepare additional space for isolation beyond AIIRs.

Hospitals are evaluating their population sizes to predict isolation space needed for a surge at their hospital. Some examples include hospitals working with local universities to prepare overflow space in empty student dormitories for patients who are not critically ill and transforming certain ICU units into COVID-19 units. Hospitals are also preparing for equipment shortages in these spaces by reusing PPE and converting respiratory equipment into functional ventilators.  Some of the tactics hospitals are employing to get isolation areas up and running include:

  • Using parts of the ER, ICU or other patient care areas to separate known or suspected cases.
  • Making handwashing stations readily available upon entrance and exit into isolation areas with adequate handwashing supplies. Mobile sinks, like the Lakeside Mobile Hand Washing Station, may prove valuable for this purpose.
  • Removing all non-essential furniture and utilize only furniture that is easy to clean.
  • Utilize carts outside the isolation area to ensure PPE is readily available before entering. The National Center for Biotechnology Information has a checklist specifically for stocking isolation area carts.
  • Use mobile, hands free waste disposal systems inside the isolation area. Accessories like the Lakeside Trash Bag Kit attach onto case carts.
  • Hospitals are also setting up carts for dedicated patient supplies within the patient’s reach. Water, tissue and other personal hygiene items should be easily accessible.  It is critical that the cart can be thoroughly disinfected before use by other patients.  Carts like the Lakeside Guard Rail Cart are a great solution.

Lakeside is closely monitoring hospital supply needs for the COVID-19 pandemic. Lakeside will continue to work hard to provide updates on equipment needs for hospitals and other healthcare facilities as the situation continues to evolve.

We are working hard to ensure our supply meets the increasing demand at this time. If your organization has any questions on carts for special facilities, please reach out to our sales team.

 

Lakeside Has You Covered

 

Check out our COVID-19 resources page and product solutions pages for helpful, informative, and up to date information relevant to the pandemic in real time.

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The Importance of Stainless Steel

Amidst the global spread of COVID-19, sanitization is more important than ever, especially for healthcare facilities, who are on the front lines of the battle against this pandemic. Sanitary equipment is imperative to slowing the spread of COVID-19, and our healthcare facilities need access to increased amounts of supplies such as masks, ventilators, hospital beds, emergency carts, and other ancillary equipment. While hospitals are investing in additional supplies, we must consider what materials are best suited to combat this situation. Medical equipment is manufactured with various types of metals, plastics, and more. But which is the best for safety and sanitization? The consensus of the medical community is widely agreed upon: stainless steel.

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steels are iron-based alloys that contain at least 10.5% chromium and 1.2% or less carbon. There are many different types or grades of stainless steel which are created by altering the percentages of its contents, and adding in different metals and elements such as:

• Nickel
• Molybdenum
• Titanium
• Copper
• Carbon
• Nitrogen

In fact, there are over 50 different grades of stainless steel. Grades such as 200 and 400 series are widely used but they all share properties that cause this metal to have its unique sterilization capabilities. Stainless Steel gets its “claim to fame” due to its ability to resist rust and corrosion. This property is due to the addition of chromium which creates a chromium-oxide film on the surface when exposed to oxygen. This film acts as a barrier between the steel and the environment. If the film is broken, it has the ability to self-heal, as long as oxygen is present. With this ability, stainless steel makes an excellent choice for medical equipment that is constantly wiped down, washed and cleaned. All this cleaning would likely damage other materials but this where stainless really shines! It’s chromium-oxide film allows it to heal itself after getting beat up by the variety of cleaning methods necessary in a healthcare environment.

Why is stainless steel the hygienic standard in healthcare facilities?

The unique capability to self-heal helps create a surface that is very easy to sanitize in comparison to other materials used widely in medical equipment. Other materials such as ceramics, plastics and polymers are susceptible to micro cracks, dents, and scratches which harbor bacteria and other germs. Oftentimes these micro cracks are invisible to the naked eye, making these materials especially challenging to thoroughly clean. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is highly durable and resistant to cracks, dents and scratches. Its natural film protects the metal and reduces the amount of maintenance necessary. With all this in mind, it becomes clear why other materials cannot steel the crown from stainless steel as the king of durability and cleanability.

We can also see why stainless steel is widely used in medical applications. Not only is it extremely durable, but it is also an easy material to work with as it can be cut, welded, and shaped very easily, while providing extra strength. Stainless steel also lasts much longer than other materials and won’t scratch and dent over time. This makes stainless steel an excellent investment that ensures easy cleaning and low maintenance for years to come. Stainless steel also has high temperature resistance, meaning that even in high temperature environments it won’t deform or break under mechanical stress unlike many other materials.

Common Medical Applications of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is used for a variety of different medical applications including:

  • Surgical Instruments
  • Cabinets
  • Sinks
  • Tables
  • Stands
  • Case Carts
  • Utility Carts

Stainless steel is specifically useful for utility carts as they must be able to carry heavy loads, while not being too heavy by themselves. Additionally, the sanitary element is very important for utility carts in healthcare facilities, and stainless steel provides the best surface to ensure safe and sanitary equipment. A great example of the strength of stainless steel comes from the Lakeside 444 Utility Cart which has a capacity of 500 lbs. while only weighing 68 lbs. itself. Utility carts like this have the best durability and value, because they will last much longer than a similar cart made from aluminum or a different alloy.

Importance of Stainless Steel During COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic is pushing the healthcare industry to the limit, and the need for safe and sanitary equipment is at an all-time high. Because COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, it spreads very easily, and healthcare facilities and equipment must be sanitized effectively. It is recommended that healthcare facilities assign the daily cleaning and disinfection of high touch surfaces to the nurses and personnel who will already be in close contact with the patient. The use of stainless steel instead of plastic or aluminum equipment makes the sterilization process simpler and takes a load off the healthcare professionals who are tasked with the job of cleaning these hazardous surfaces.

Lakeside Manufacturing is committed to supporting medical facilities with rapid manufacturing and shipping times. Our facility remains open and operational under the essential business provisions granted by local and federal guidelines. Please reach out if your facility is in need of case carts or utility carts during this challenging time. Lakeside is prepared to support increased demand of stainless steel products and remains dedicated to providing quality healthcare solutions.

Lakeside Has You Covered

 

Check out our COVID-19 resources page and product solutions pages for helpful, informative, and up to date information relevant to the pandemic in real time.