Kevin Janak and Xiao Jang of Arxada present a new disinfection solutions for HAIs *
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The golden age of microbial control innovation
Kevin Janak and Xiao Jang of Arxada present a new disinfection solutions for HAIs *
Arxada recently published a synopsis of innovations in microbial control that continue to influence and improve the health and well-being of people , society and our planet . A critical area of benefit is within healthcare settings .
Healthcare-acquired infections ( HAIs ) represent a significant health and safety concern for patients globally . 1 They lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates of patients in hospitals and longterm care facilities , and create a significant financial burden on healthcare systems .
For example , the direct cost of treating HAIs in the US is estimated to be around $ 30-45 billion / year . 2 In fact , the Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) estimates that one in 31 hospital patients and one in 43 longterm health residents has a HAI on any given day . 3
Results from different studies show that the average length of stay in hospitals due to HAIs increases about eight to nine days , a cost that may be borne completely by the healthcare facility in some systems . 4 , 5 Beyond recovery complications and associated healthcare costs , more than one in 17 patients with HAIs dies as a direct result . 6 Clearly , HAIs directly impact patient quality of life and recovery metrics , and result in higher costs to hospitals
Advances in disinfection
Despite these staggering numbers , disinfection in healthcare facilities is a surprisingly recent advance in the quality of care and infection control protocols . Only 30-40 years ago , facility cleaning protocols and methods were not thought to impact infection rates among patients . 7 Correspondingly , disinfection and cleaning were more viewed as having aesthetic value than an
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