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Spotlight
Surgery site infection, also known as Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) or nosocomial infection, is a real and ongoing concern in healthcare. A wide variety of circumstances contribute to the possibility of infection, and one important component being researched and addressed is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
Although studies show infection rates that vary by procedure, and some rates appear to be low, all these
infections come with related risks and costs to patients and providers. Not only does air quality affect patients, but also employees and third party individuals. Airborne viruses (especially during cold and flu season), bacteria, and spores are culprits leading to post-operative infection as well as staff absenteeism due to illness.
Should bioskills labs be concerned about infection or air quality? Although bioskills labs do not have to worry about patient infection, air quality is important for the overall well-being of those present during a lab. The following are potential sources affecting air quality of which to be aware:
- Airborne bioburden from electrosurgical smoke
- Animal holding areas
- Automated surgical instrument washers in proximity to the lab
- Cleaning chemicals and chemical vapor introduced during the lab
- Close proximity of the lab space to loading dock doors
- Condensed building HVAC ductwork moisture
- Foot traffic in and out of the lab
- Lab station instrument washing tubs
- Live animal labs with anesthesia
- Outside vendor equipment ordered for the lab
- Several lab stations combined into a single room
- Specimens coming into an event from tissue providers
- Staff/guest health issues from coughing and sneezing
- Uncovered soiled PPE trash bins
Four major categories to consider related to IAQ in a hospital or surgery center are patients, staff, the building itself, and outdoor air quality. Bioskills labs, just like operating rooms, can require and encourage the same practices to keep staff and guests safe. Hand washing, hand sanitizers, gloves, gowns, surgical masks and shoe covers, wearing scrubs versus street clothes, and proper PPE disposable are all important. We can't control the weather, but proper HVAC, in-room UV lighting, and HEPA filtration systems should be considered to clean the indoor air we all breathe. Destruction of viruses, bacteria and spores should be of concern to bioskills lab managers. Labs located in warmer, high humidity areas of the country should also be concerned with mold spores.
As with any potential risk or danger, awareness is key for prevention. What lab policies and procedures do you have in place to minimize internal air contaminants?
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Tools of the Trade
No smoking in the lab!
A smoke evacuator is an easy solution to decreasing or eliminating surgical smoke in a bioskills lab.
MED
Source offers Buffalo Filter
ViroVac
®
Smoke Evacuators for short-term rentals:
- Compact design is perfect for limited space locations
- Simple to use
- Automatic On/Off Bovie synchronization
Every rental includes all filters and accessories. No need to worry about whether you have the right components required for proper operation of the unit.
Call us today at 303-750-5357 or
email
us and request a quote.
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Lab Profile: TABL (The Austen Bioskills Lab, Akron, OH)
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TABL
47 N Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
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9 Stations
Contact: Michael Deckard 330-554-2043
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TABL
is one of the largest, most comprehensive, multi-specialty bioskills facilities of its kind, for both adult and pediatric training. They offer a state-of-the-art, f
ully equipped surgical lab offering standard or customized cadaveric training and medical device development, testing, and evaluation. With its advanced AV technology, practitioners across the city or globe can watch and interact via a live video stream.
The TABL facility includes:
- 9-station bioskills surgical lab with LED lighting and suction
- Lead instructor station equipped with audio-visual recording capabilities
- Complete tissue sourcing, preparation, storage, and disposition (or feel free to bring your own)
- Minimally invasive surgical towers, scopes, and instrumentation
- Microsurgery and temporal bone work stations
- Fluoroscopy with 9-inch image intensifier
- Multiple conference rooms and a multimedia-enabled auditorium (125 seats) for didactic sessions
- OR technicians on-site for support during your lab
- PPE and scrubs available
- Catering options
With two airports nearby (Akron-Canton and Cleveland), as well as an adjacent Marriott for lodging, the area also offers a new vibrant and trendy food scene. Some local attractions include the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Playhouse Square Theatre District, Firestone County Club, Great Lakes Science Center, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort, Blossom Music Center, Hale Farm and Village, Cleveland Museum of Art, and the World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Contact TABL today to book your next training event!
You can find more information about TABL and other bioskills labs at www.bioskillslabs.com. Registration is free. Whether you want to promote your lab, or are working in the industry and are looking for a lab, we welcome your participation.
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7012 S. Revere Parkway, Suite 150
Centennial, CO 80112
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