Introduction:
Patient Isolation Indicator Tag
Background & Summary
With the rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria and highly transmissible infections, disinfecting contaminated surfaces is of high importance in reducing healthcare associated infections. Furthermore, patients visit multiple areas in hospitals for diagnostic testing, procedures and surgeries, but patients will not always be transported with a paper chart. There is often a gap in communication when transporting staff drops a patient off at the receiving department. They may forget to mention that the patient is on isolation, and then the receiving staff do not have the knowledge to wear protective equipment or choose the correct hand hygiene and cleaning wipes. This product, a patient isolation indicator tag, is mountable, reusable, and can be submerged in cleaning solutions such as bleach. Using this tag can bridge the communication gap and improve accountability for preventive measures. The annual cost for hospital acquired infections in the United States is up to $45 billion (CDC, 2015). Preventing the spread of diseases is advantageous to improve patient safety and satisfaction, as well as for economic reasons. Hospitals and facilities that do not meet their targets for limiting hospital acquired infections can be penalized millions of dollars and do not receive full reimbursements from CMS (CMS, 2014). Using this warning tag can help to improve compliance, and reduce the spread of infections.
Detailed Description
This device is for use on patient transport equipment in acute care hospitals and other inpatient facilities including long term care and rehabilitation centers. The device size and form is minimal to avoid catching on fabric, tangle with IV line. Bold colors will be used to identify the different isolation types including contact, droplet, and enteric isolation. This device will clip on to hospital beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers to indicate if the patient being transported has an infectious disease requiring additional hand hygiene, isolation, and cleaning precautions. Furthermore, this device is designed to be made of a durable plastic material that can withstand repeated disinfection, including bleach products. The mechanisms inside use a spring to deploy the isolation label, and then retract to reset the warning tag to “clean” or a neutral position.
Detailed Description
This device is for use on patient transport equipment in acute care hospitals and other inpatient facilities including long term care and rehabilitation centers. The device size and form is minimal to avoid catching on fabric, tangle with IV line. Bold colors will be used to identify the different isolation types including contact, droplet, and enteric isolation. This device will clip on to hospital beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers to indicate if the patient being transported has an infectious disease requiring additional hand hygiene, isolation, and cleaning precautions. Furthermore, this device is designed to be made of a durable plastic material that can withstand repeated disinfection, including bleach products. The mechanisms inside use a spring to deploy the isolation label, and then retract to reset the warning tag to “clean” or a neutral position.
Application and Advantages
• Improves safety for both patients and health care providers.
• Designed to be made of a durable plastic, which can withstand repeated disinfection.
• Reduces both the costs and monetary penalties associated hospital acquired infections.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). The 2015 National and State
Healthcare-associated Infection Data Report. United States Department of Health & Human Services.
2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2014). Statute Regulations Program Instructions. United States Department of Health & Human Services.
Relevant Patent Filings:
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/635,935