Although the end of the year is fast approaching, the United States of America continues to battle with resurging COVID-19 cases, and the curve is only growing steeper. Control of the virus is a number one priority, with measures such as social distancing and quarantine protocols in place. As the world waits for the vaccine, however, most organizations focus on a crucial process: disinfection.
Disinfection has always been a non-negotiable process in the medical industry, but hospitals have now taken processes up a notch by preventing the spread of coronavirus in unprecedented ways. Apart from wearing masks and personal protective equipment, cleaning staff are also tasked with learning about the transmission of infectious germs, all of which have protocols in place. These individuals are then outfitted with respective tools and equipment, all of which have been designed to reach nooks and crannies for disinfection.
And while COVID-19 continues to peak across the country, one thing is certain—these enhanced disinfection strategies are working, and will need to be further developed.
How Contamination Travels
Those who work and stay in healthcare-related environments are at great risk of infection. They’re exposed to various hazards, such as sick patients and contaminated objects and places. With the risk of infection being a significant danger, it’s important to know how infectious organisms can travel and contaminate.
There are numerous ways that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) get transmitted from one person to another. Commonly, surfaces and equipment get contaminated by sick patients, and when other people come in contact with these surfaces, they have the risk of being infected themselves. Unidentified carriers of certain pathogens may also randomly contaminate these surfaces, passing on the organisms from one person to another. Sometimes, healthcare workers themselves may also contaminate other people if they don’t regularly sanitize themselves.
How Innovation Has Disrupted COVID-19
Despite the continued debates on the importance of masks (They’re highly critical to the spread of the virus), enhanced cleaning protocols and disinfection methods have helped curb the onslaught of COVID-19, all thanks to innovative measures such as the use of UV technology. This was brought about due to a study done by the Emerging Infectious Diseases, where they found that COVID-19 was more amenable to contamination in intensive care units, as opposed to general wards. Coronavirus thrives on floors, trashcans, handrails, and even computer mice, making it an airborne pathogen.
This has set the world in a state of panic, throwing the world into a chaos of deep cleaning, surface disinfection, and of course, the utilization of UV technology. This has been further enhanced by using robots, providing hospitals all over the world with non-contact cleaning sessions.
As a result, hospital staff are given and added protection, as they are now kept from touching high-touch surfaces, especially in areas where the coronavirus can survive in the air. Instead of manual disinfection, automated robots can now run a smooth and effective way of keeping transmissions at bay.
The Future of Cleaning And Disinfecting
Thanks to the emergence of vaccines, the end of the coronavirus may just be around the corner. However, the future of cleaning and disinfection has changed the name of the game forever. Thanks to such innovative measures, hospitals can now enjoy more sanitized hospitals, all without the fear of contamination. If this is the future of medicine, then the pathway is brighter than ever.
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