AOHP 2016 Presentations Point to Need for Improved Conjunctiva Protection Policies
Neenah, WI (PRWEB) September 09, 2016 -- TIDI Products, LLC, a leading manufacturer of clinically differentiated, single-use, infection-prevention products, today cited the presentation of important scientific research at the annual meeting of the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP) in Myrtle Beach, SC.
AOHP is the sole, national, professional organization committed to addressing the occupational health and safety of healthcare professionals in healthcare settings. Approximately 1,000 occupational health nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants belong to AOHP. The annual conference is a venue for learning, sharing, and exchanging best practices. The 2016 annual gathering, occurring September 7-10, 2016, has featured a series of presentations offered to help reduce occupational exposure risk.
One podium presentation, “Interdepartmental Collaboration to Reduce Conjunctiva Exposure Risk: Process Improvement to Increase Awareness and Enhance Compliance,” demonstrates the clear value of education and new protocols in reducing eye exposure. Victor R. Lange, Director of Infection Prevention at Alta Hospital Systems in Los Angeles, educated staff in multiple departments about eye infection risk and best-practice prevention strategies. With new PPE procedures adopted and easy access to eyewear, Mr. Lange tracked a 100% reduction in eye splashes compared to the prior 12 months of baseline data, as well as 15 splash “saves” in the first 90 days alone. Mr. Lange concludes collaboration among Infection Prevention, Occupational Health, Nursing Education, and Executive Management provide an opportunity to virtually eliminate eye exposure risk and significantly improve healthcare worker safety.
A poster presentation, “Blood and Body Fluid Eye Exposure Risk on the Rise,” details the increasing rate of eye and conjunctiva exposures in US hospitals. The findings, presented by Dr. Amber Hogan Mitchell, President and Executive Director of the International Safety Center, are founded in data reported by 30 US hospitals from 2012-2014. With statistics from the Center’s Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet®), Dr. Mitchell has been able to quantify mucocutaneous blood and body-fluid exposures affecting a variety of body locations, including the highest-risk and frequently under-protected eyes and conjunctiva. Dr. Mitchell also compared levels of eye exposure and protection among the roles of nurses and physicians. Dr. Mitchell found eye exposures represented more than 60% of incidents in all years, the percent of staff wearing eye protection fell to 2.8% in 2014, and eye-exposure incidents were higher for nurses (47.4-53.2%) than physicians (13.0-14.9%), yet nurses wore eyewear even less often (2.2-3.8%) than physicians (8.3%-33.4%). Dr. Mitchell concludes healthcare workers and especially nurses remain at risk from unprotected eyes.
To assist occupational health professionals in gaining greater healthcare worker compliance, performance, and protection, TIDI Products offers a wide array of infection-prevention products that include patented Sterile-Z™ back-table covers and patient drapes, C-Armor® equipment drapes, and TIDIShield® Grab ‘n Go™ Eye Shields in a convenient, point-of-use dispenser. By placing single-use TIDIShield Grab ‘n Go Eye Shields wherever gloves or masks are available, occupational health and safety staff can help reduce infection transmission risk via conjunctiva. AOHP 2016 attendees may request information on TIDI Product offerings by visiting http://www.TIDIProducts.com.
About TIDI Products, LLC
TIDI Products, LLC is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, single-use, infection-prevention products and unique, safety-improving interventional equipment. TIDI is committed to supporting caregivers and preventing infections in hospitals, clinics, dental offices, and other healthcare environments. The TIDI Product portfolio ranges from exam table paper, patient capes and gowns, dental bibs, curing light sleeves, intra-oral camera covers, and sterile C-Arm drapes; to protective eyewear, gowns, masks and gloves for staff; to securement products for catheters and other devices. For more information, please visit http://www.TIDIProducts.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
CFI Medical, manufacturer of the Sterile-Z and C-Armor product lines, is now part of TIDI Products.
Ellen Hassett Cahill, e-sagacity, http://www.e-sagacity.com, +1 716.465.6230, [email protected]
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