The world is a fast-moving place, and keeping up, staying on top of things, being aware of all the thats going on around you, can seem impossible. There are the daily demands of work, the backlog of items which need attention before moving on to the next stage, or the hecticness of providing fresh, clean, and sterile items when a schedule changes.

What you can count on to consistently provide best outcomes? All things being equal, washer/disinfectors are all very efficient. We all want clean dishes at home and decontaminated instruments in healthcare facilities.  In both scenarios, we want them done with the least amount of effort. That's why dishwashers are so prized in the kitchen and automated washers in decontam. But sometimes, they don't produce the best results.

In light of climate change, the pandemic, and water quality issues, sustainability and safer chemical usage has become a healthcare focus. Healthcare can both contribute to the problem and can be at the forefront of change. Are you aware that most cleaners, disinfectants, and germicidal wipes contain chemicals of concern that may threaten patients, the environment, and even give you a headache or worse?

Do you know what’s hiding in your tap water? Is it hard, soft, iron rich, or smelly like rotten eggs? How does water quality affect cleaning chemistries, and what can be done about it? And how can high purity water contribute to more effective cleaning? Certainly, water is important for the final rinse, but what about in the formulation of the cleaning agent itself and in the cleaning stages of instrument processing?...

Last week’s episode ended with a cliffhanger, we promised more on the critical parameters for detergent selection, sustainability, and the science of cleaning, how instrument chemistries are formulated for safety and effectiveness, and which cycles are best for automated cleaning.

Daytime TV serials are often called “soap operas” because laundry and dish detergent manufacturers have long been sponsors. The “opera” part is full of drama, passion, a plot where pressure is applied to force a decision, one which the victim was sorry to have agreed to in the first place. Just as “soap operas” use persuasive words, exaggerated statements, and even threats, to cancel out sound judgment or scientific principles...

According to USA Today, “A substantial increase in coronavirus infections was expected when this week's numbers came out, but nothing like this.”

The intensely rapid spread of the omicron variant and a backlog of cases from the New Year's weekend has resulted in U.S. health authorities tallying more than three times as many new cases as in any previous wave of the coronavirus -- over 1 million reported cases on Monday alone. About 1 in every 100 Americans will have been reported as a positive case in just the last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

As discussed last week, the healthcare industry contributes to solid waste production, greenhouse gasses, and climate change. While a true statement, the news is that there are also ways that healthcare can reduce the impact it has on the environment, while reducing costs. Rigid reusable sealed sterilization containers are one of the best options for reducing hospital waste. Nevertheless, not all containers are created equal.

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As discussed last week, the healthcare industry contributes to solid waste production, greenhouse gasses, and climate change. While a true statement, the news is that there are also ways that healthcare can reduce the impact it has on the environment, while reducing costs. Rigid reusable sealed sterilization containers are one of the best options for reducing hospital waste. Nevertheless, not all containers are created equal.

READ MORE