Ofstead & Associates, Inc.
Making a splash: Contaminated droplet dispersal in decontamination areas
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LockedEligible for 1.0 contact hour | HSPA | CBSPD | RN |
Have you ever wondered whether it really matters if instruments are submerged in cleaning solution when you’re scrubbing them? What about the three-foot separation between dirty and clean areas? Do germs stop at the red line? We decided to take a look at the science behind guidelines for reducing risks associated with splashes in sterile processing and endoscopy departments. In this webinar, two researchers share stories about cases of real-world splashes that exposed healthcare personnel to infection or injury. They explain guidelines and IFU for minimizing splash and reducing contamination and exposure in the decontamination area. The researchers describe findings from a pilot project that explored the generation of splashes by various reprocessing activities using a novel approach to photographing where droplets land on surfaces and PPE. They also describe simple tools that can be used to detect splashes in real-world settings, and share strategies for assessing and managing splash risk and reducing personnel exposure in SPD and endoscopy units.
Objectives
By the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the risk of personnel exposure to splash generated during medical procedures and sterile processing
- Describe guidelines and manufacturer instructions regarding dirty-to-clean workflow and splash reduction
- Explain findings of real-world experiments done to assess droplet dispersal during reprocessing
- List several strategies for assessing and managing splash risk and personnel exposure
Content outline
- Background and rationale for focusing on splash risks in sterile processing areas
- Guidelines and manufacturer instructions for use
- Practical methods for evaluating splash
- Pilot study findings illustrating splashes in decontamination areas
- Strategies for managing splash during reprocessing
- Sponsor acknowledgement (Supported by an educational grant from Healthmark)
Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH
President & CEO, Ofstead & Associates
Cori Ofstead is an epidemiologist with 30 years of experience designing and conducting studies about the impact of clinical processes on patient outcomes. She has served as the Principal Investigator on numerous studies related to infection prevention, instrument processing, and vaccination against infectious diseases. Ms. Ofstead is nationally recognized for her groundbreaking research, and her studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals including CHEST, AJIC, ICHE, Urology, Journal of Hospital Infection, Endoscopy International Open, Journal of Wound Care, Gastroenterology Nursing, and Vaccine. She currently serves as a reviewer for AJIC, Endoscopy, and the Journal of Urology, and is an active member of the editorial board for AJIC. She has presented the findings of her studies at national and international conferences sponsored by the CDC, APIC, HSPA, AORN, SGNA, AGA, ASGE, and several universities. In addition, she currently serves as a preceptor for epidemiology students in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.
Krystina M. Hopkins, MPH
Research Manager, Ofstead & Associates
Krystina Hopkins is a research manager with Ofstead & Associates, Inc. where she leads projects related to device processing effectiveness and environmental health, including chronic conditions, vaccination, radiation hygiene, and healthcare costs. She has an MPH in environmental health, specializing in infectious disease. Her research has been published in AJIC, ICHE, Endoscopy International Open, Journal of Wound Care, Urology, AORN Journal, BI&T (AAMI’s journal), and HSPA’s PROCESS magazine, and she is a reviewer for AORN Journal and AAMI’s BI&T. She has presented the findings of her studies at national and international conferences sponsored by the CDC, APIC, and HSPA. Ms. Hopkins has over fourteen years of hands-on health and healthcare-related research experience in diverse in-patient and outpatient settings. Prior to joining Ofstead in 2017, she supported clinical trials in environmental health, health economics, and community-based research as a research project manager at Medica Research Institute. Ms. Hopkins was also involved with projects related to molecular and microbiology, epidemiology, infectious disease, and occupational health in various roles at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health.
