HHM Compatibility Special Edition Feb/Mar 2020 HHM Compatibility Special Edition Feb:Mar 2020 | Page 20

Sponsored Content
Understanding the Critical Role of Medical
Device Failure in the Healthcare Continuum
By Ellen Turner, Global Market Development Manager, Medical Devices, Eastman
M
edical device failure is a sig-
chemicals necessary to combat HAIs.
nificant contributor to the
Healthcare providers are under increas-
overall cost of healthcare. Device
ing pressure to implement rigorous
cracking, crazing, fogging, leaks
and effective cleaning and disinfecting
and electronic systems failures ex-
protocols in acute-care settings as well
acerbate adverse patient events
as long-term care facilities and ambula-
and the transmission of healthcare-
tory surgical centers. Proper education
acquired infections (HAIs), leading
and training of healthcare workers
to poor outcomes for patients and
improves the adoption of best practices,
non-reimbursable expenses for pro-
such as hand hygiene, to mitigate the
viders. That’s why materials mat-
proliferation of methicillin-resistant
ter—designing and sourcing devices
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as well
made from disinfectant-compatible
as pneumonia and clostridium difficile,
polymers reduces HAIs, lowers the cost
to name just a few potentially lethal and
of ownership for healthcare providers
highly contagious infections.
and, most importantly, improves the
However, when it comes to medical
patient experience.
devices, there are no simple solutions.
According to the Office of
Device-related medical issues result-
The materials used to make diagnostic,
Disease
Prevention and Health
ing in hospitalization, disability or death
monitoring and treatment equipment
have skyrocketed in recent years. FDA
vary as do their resistance to the wide
Promotion (ODPHP),
data indicates the growing frequency
range of cleaning products used in
one out of every
of medical device failure increases the
healthcare settings. The challenge for
25 hospital patients
likelihood of these adverse events.
infection preventionists is to identify
in the United States
At the same time, HAIs, which are
and implement cleaning requirements
is affected by a healthcare-
contributing factors to morbidity and
that destroy bacteria without weak-
mortality, have also been on the rise.
ening device polymers. They are also
acquired infection.
In fact, there is a direct correlation
challenged by Instructions for Use (IFU)
between the increase in device failures
which prevent their healthcare systems
and the prevalence of HAIs.
from choosing the right disinfects
According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health because the device is not compatible. Auditors are now
Promotion (ODPHP), one out of every 25 hospital patients checking to see if IFUs are followed properly. If not, the
in the United States is affected by a healthcare-acquired
healthcare facility is in jeopardy of losing reimbursement.
infection. These infections lead to thousands of deaths each
OEMs play a crucial role
year and billions of dollars in additional costs to the U.S.
What role do original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
healthcare system. Surgical infections alone constitute up
play in the process? OEMs are required to have rigorous
to $10 billion annually in hospital costs, according to the
quality processes in place to address failures, but there is
Centers for Disease Control (CDC). What’s more, HAIs can
be transmitted between different healthcare facilities, further still no significant standard required for demonstrating both
complicating the continuum of care. There are ramifications cleanability and durability. IFUs are limiting healthcare’s ability
to clean appropriately and pass audits, so OEMs have some
for clinician safety as well as patient safety.
room for improvement here.
Why medical devices fail
There’s debate as to whether service contracts actually
While device failure means different things in different protect patients and clinicians. Furthermore, these contracts
contexts, in this case we’re focusing specifically on device
create cost considerations across the value chain. Do service
breakdown over time due to the application of stringent contracts offset the financial burden for hospitals and other
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FPO
art
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Compatibility Special Edition February/March 2020 • www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com