Becker's ASC Review

89 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING 2 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING SPONSORED BY Addressing Today's Healthcare Challenges with the Technologies of the Future Innovation for staff and patient safety to help improve productivity and patient care in the hospital environment. E ach day, healthcare workers are challenged with selecting the proper safety solutions to achieve their goals of providing unwavering patient care. What happens when a worker's glove rips or tears during work in a healthcare facility? How long does it take for a surgeon to double-don gloves in an O.R.? What's the first thing an ER staff does when responding to a newly arriving patient? By spending time side-by-side with healthcare workers on the job across a range of different industries, Ansell has learned the answers to many questions like these. Through our Worker Experience Innovation (WEI) program, we develop a deeper understanding of workers' day- to-day experiences and challenges. We then transform these insights into new WEI technologies and product ideas. Through the innovations developed, healthcare workers can vastly improve their performance, provide the best care for patients, and be confident that they are protected. There are innovative, yet simple, solutions to many of the most common challenges faced by healthcare workers in today's ever-changing, complex healthcare environment. CombattingHazards in the Workplace with State- of-the-Art Technology Problem: Increase of Type IV Chemical Allergies Many healthcare facilities have made the transition to latex- free environments, inclusive of their surgical gloves used in the OR space. Many of the non-latex glove options, however, utilize a number of chemical accelerators which can cause the occurrence of Type IV chemical allergies. Chemical allergies to glove products are generally associated with the chemicals used in the glove manufacturing process with the majority of reported glove-associated allergic contact dermatitis attributed to chemical accelerators 1 . Chemical accelerators are added to accelerate the bonding process and stabilize the glove for long-term storage. Importantly for the wearer, they give gloves elasticity and tensile strength. The occurrence of these allergies can cause symptoms such as dryness of skin, cracking, blisters, and in some cases a burning sensation ─ delivering a problematic experience for healthcare workers. As more facilities proceed to implement their latex-free initiatives, the occurrence of Type IV chemical allergies will continue to rise. Ansell's Solution: PI-KARE™Skin-Friendly, non- sensitizing PI Technology As non-latex polyisoprene (PI) gloves continue to grow in popularity and surgeon preference, Ansell's R&D has gone beyond the status quo and made our PI gloves safer for our workers. Our proprietary PI KARE™ Technology formulation enables the elimination of standard chemical accelerators known to cause allergic contact dermatitis or low dermatitis potential. Providing the world's first full range of skin friendly, non-sensitizing PI gloves that are US FDA-510(k) approved. Now O.R. staff can choose PI gloves that are even more durable and 'stretchier' with improved comfort, fit and feel to deliver heightened sensitivity and dexterity so they can perform at their best. All while making them safer to use. Problem: Cross-Contamination in the Operating Room Many surfaced in the operating room are grossly contaminated during surgery and are extremely difficult to clean. This can result in high risk of cross-contamination and Surgical Site Infections (SSI). Though advances continue to be made in infection control practices, SSIs still account for 20% of all Healthcare-AssociatedInfections (HAIs) and are the costliest HAI type resulting in an added $20,000 per admission 2 . Ansell's Solution: AMT™ Antimicrobial Technology STAT-BLOC™ disposable O.R. table linens with AMT™ Antimicrobial Technology provide complete protection against bacterial migration to prevent contamination of the linens and help ensure a clean patient surface for every procedure. The impervious, antimicrobial backing is at least 99% effective against MRSA, E. coli, CRE and COVID-19 3 . Problem: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) In the O.R., spending hours every day wearing gloves can take its toll. Prolonged muscle effort, from performing repetitive tasks and finer hand movements such as suturing and instrument use, could cause muscle strain leading to glove-induced hand fatigue and, over time, may heighten your risk of hand related injuries. Workers who constantly repeat movements can adversely affect their joints may endure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, one of the

• Cover