protection – L&R Prevent and Protect

OR products, Best practice

For effective infection prevention, patients and medical staff need to work together

More than 500 papers authored, more than 300 book contributions and currently 54 patents – these figures represent the research spirit of Prof Axel Kramer. Managing Director of the University of Greifswald Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, this specialist in hygiene and environmental medicine has been campaigning for years to reduce infection rates following surgery. But how can this be achieved? Professor Kramer has practical ideas.

Product solutions

“Microbiology and the development of medical products go hand in hand”

Tina Leeb is an expert in microbiology. For the past three years, the experienced microbiologist has conducted research in product development for Lohmann & Rauscher and has helped to build the company’s own competence centre for biofilm. In our interview, she explains the unique characteristics of biofilm, the connection between medical products and microbiology, and what inspires her in her work.

Prevention, Basic hygiene, Surface disinfection

Surface disinfection: You should know these trends

In recent years, ready-to-use wipes have become increasingly popular for surface disinfection. They are easy to work with and safe to use. But how do experts test the effectiveness of such wipes systems and wipes dispenser systems? Learn about the role of 4-field test and why the number of moist wipes in flowpacks matters – and how institutions such as Germany’s VAH with its disinfectant experts are working to improve products.

Prevention of surgical site infection (SSI)

Surgical Site Infections –
The history of prevention

Every medical procedure is accompanied by a risk of infection. Preventive measures in particular are key to avoiding postoperative wound infections. Since 1983, health authorities have published recommendations with behavioural guidelines, for example, what steps are important and when they should be taken.

Product solutions

Surgical scrubs: Choosing the right clothing improves patients’ safety

Surgical scrubs can aid in containing the spread of microorganisms found on the skin and on clothing worn outside the surgical area, and lower the incidence of surgical site infections. Choosing the right clothing for the personnel transfer area and establishing guidelines are important steps in limiting microbial spread and promoting patient safety.

Prevention of surgical site infection (SSI)

New recommendation on storage duration for sterile medical devices

Not only medical products play a decisive role in safe and hygienically secure operations. It is also essential that staples, scissors, hooks and other instruments are properly stored. This is the key message of the German Society for Sterile Supply (DGSV) in its “Recommendation on storage duration for sterile medical devices”. The type of storage is particularly important when single-use instruments are used, and this factor also determines the recommended length of storage.

Best practice, Hand hygiene

“Disregard for hygiene is no longer acceptable“

How can hand hygiene compliance in hospitals be increased? This is one question that Simone Scheithauer addresses in her studies. Scheithauer is head of the Institute for Hospital Hygiene and Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital Göttingen, Germany. In the interview, she reveals reasons for poor compliance, along with effective approaches for better hand hygiene.

Preventing Infection_alt

Medical personnel may not be aware of the risk of infection

Hand hygiene is still not sufficiently and consistently implemented. One possible reason is that medical personnel do not seem to be aware of how often they touch patients, and the surfaces inside and outside of the patient's environment. Such contacts can transmit microorganisms and create potential risks of infection.