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Endoscope Reprocessing News IAHCSMM Infection Control Tips

Reprocessing Risks: A Surging Hot Topic in Healthcare

Endoscope_reprocessing

FISIf you find yourself anywhere near the healthcare industry, you are sure to find yourself inundated with white papers, a newspaper articles and magazine covers touching on the challenges, education and healthcare changes necessary to ensure patient safety regards to endoscope reprocessing techniques within hospital systems nationwide. According to a recent article in Communiqué Magazine, steps for success and safety – as set forth by agencies such as the CDC/FDA (HAN 00383) and ANSI/AAMI ST79 – must be carefully followed.

The temperature continues to rise on the topic of dirty endoscopes and reprocessing risks associated with all types of reusable instruments. The good news? Top lines such as Healthmark, Sterile Services and Applied Logic (Abacus 2) continue their quest to create products to verify cleaning, verify steam sterilizer functions and create accountability through instrument tracking to the patients. All of these lines are direct partners of Houston Hospital Services, Inc. We care about the infection control. We care about proper device handling. We care about patient safety and we care about your hospital.

 

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Holiday

Happy Thanksgiving

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From all of us at Houston Hospital Services, Inc, we wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday. As we fill our bellies with good food this season, we remember those that are less fortunate. We hope you take this time to refill your soul and consider giving back this season. This year, our team was inspired by Stand Up For Kids to create care packages for the Houston’s homeless. We carry them around with us and give them out in lieu of money. Thank you for inspiring us to give this season. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Our offices will close early today, Wednesday, November 25th and reopen on Monday, November 30th at 9:00am.

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SGNA Houston

SGNA Houston Chapter Annual Event

Join us for the Annual SGNA Houston Chapter Event on Feb. 27, 2016  at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 6 Greenway Plaza, Houston Tx. 77046. Stay tuned for more posted details about the sessions and times.

Houston Hospital Services, Inc. will be representing Healthmark Industries, Applied Logic, Symmetry Surgical, Sterile Services, Logiquip and Pedigo.

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IAHCSMM

Will we see you in San Antonio?

IAHCSMM

The IAHCSMM Annual Conference Will Deliver More Than 20 CS-Focused Educational Sessions.
These sessions will provide attendees of all experience levels the information they need to advance their knowledge, while keeping their Central Service departments operating safely, efficiently and current with the latest standards and best practices. And with over 1,000 attendees from across the globe participating, opportunities abound for connecting with peers, networking with renowned speakers and meeting with vendor experts.

 

Conference highlights include:
  • Endoscope Reprocessing Update
  • Biofilms
  • Understanding Steam
  • Professional Development Strategies
  • Handling Temperature and Humidity Issues
  • Improving the Work Environment
  • Strategies for Effective CS Management
  • Survey Readiness
  • AAMI Updates
  • IAHCSMM Advocacy Update
For the latest information, visit the IAHCSMM website and view the Schedule-at-a-Glance.
Receive the lowest rates available by registering before December 31, 2015.
$375 for IAHCSMM Members
($475 for Non-Members)
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Pedigo Uncategorized

Don’t Touch That!!!

Pedigo CuVerro® Bacterial Alloy

Something we rarely consider every day is the amount of surfaces we actually touch with our hands.  In a hospital environment, what we touch can have a grave impact on patients and hospital staff health. It’s essential we understand potential high touch surfaces and how our partners are improving their products to combat these issues.

Our partners at Pedigo have taken steps to improve upon everyday use items such as stretchers, IV poles and patient handles. These ‘high-touch’ areas are a breeding ground for spreading infectious diseases. By replacing the stainless steel handles, rails and poles with CuVerro® Bactericidal Alloy, Pedigo has decreased the risk by almost 99%. If you think about the surfaces a patient, hospital professional and those outsiders visiting hospitals, you will understand that bed rails, IV poles, light switches, door handles and other areas are “high touch”.

Take a look at what Pedigo has to offer in the newest CuVerro® line. It’s truly amazing that simply changing the materials and engineering they can incorporate a non-caustic and natural combat to fight the spread of bacteria.

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Central Services IAHCSMM

International CS Week!

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From Oct. 11-17, The Texas Medical Center celebrates central services professionals in what is called “CS WEEK”. Spearheaded by IAHCSMM, we give thanks to those professionals that see to it our hospitals sterilization procedures and techniques are carried out and centered around patient safety. Check out more ways to help us celebrate by visiting the local chapters meetings or clicking on the link HERE.

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Cleaning Verification Stations Endoscope Reprocessing News Healthmark Industries

Spotlight on Endoscopy Cleaning Verification

If you work in or around the hospital heathcare industry, you know the hot button today is the verification of flexible scope cleanliness. Houston Hospital Services is developing a service for hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and surround hospital systems in Houston using ProFormance Cleaning Verification – EndoCheck from Healthmark Industries.

With patient safety and hospital procedures in mind, HHS intends to develop an easy to read / easy to implement verification check for flexible scopes without adding a ton of additional work to the SPD or Endoscopy departments.

With that in mind, can you safely answer the question “Are your Flexible scopes ready for the next step”? All scopes should be verified “clean” from Protein, Blood and Carbohydrates before placing the scope in your AER. Houston Hospital Services, Inc. along with Healthmark Industries has created a “program” that is simple and easy to follow. It adds very little time, effort and money to each procedure keeping patient safety in mind. Let our team provide you with tools to check and verify the cleanliness of your scopes. (713) 640-5393

 

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LogiQuip

Custom Storage Solutions

Houston, Texas is a hot-bed for healthcare and hospital expansions. The storage solutions offered by LogiQuip through Houston Hospital Services can save time and energy when planning out the storage solutions for your OR. Crowded SPD? Stuffed to the core? Disorganized Operating Rooms? Leave the planning of your hospital storage solutions to the team at Houston Hospital Services.

From Par wall and Par Stor to custom wire shelving and track systems, LogiQuip has a product that will fit any space and any need.

Call for your free quote today! (713) 640-5393

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Healthmark Coupons

Healthmark Monthly Coupon

One of our lines, Healthmark, sends out a monthly newsletter in addition to a coupon! This month, Healthmark is featuring FREE Flexistem Brush Samples! If you want to request one, please CLICK HERE!

What is a “Flexistem Brush”? We’re glad you asked! Flexistem brushes are disposable brushes that come in 6 diameters to clean all small bore items. You can customize and choose the brush that fits your needs! Click on THIS LINK to learn more!

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Infection Control Tips

5 Tips for Infection Control from Becker’s

Maintaining optimal levels of sterility assurance requires use of chemicals that can be harmful to humans. Gaps in education of our healthcare workers results in improper handling of these necessary chemicals. The trickle down effect could result in chronic health effects should healthcare workers not pay close attention to proper protocols.

Becker’s Infection Control & Clinical Quality released “How to clean, disinfect while preventing harmful exposure: 5 things to know” written by Max Green. These tips address gaps in key areas where healthcare workers and sanitation standards need to meet. Click HERE to read more!