15-Aug-2019

7 unique ways we partner for prevention 

Did you know that in his quote “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Ben Franklin was reportedly referring to fire safety? We think his sage advice applies to so much more. We’re looking at technology across Stryker and highlighting seven unique tools that our customers use to prevent everything from infection to surgical smoke exposure.


Challenge: Infection

When it comes to infection, the numbers tell the story. Every year in the U.S. over 700,000 patients acquire healthcare-associated infections.In 2018, the ECRI listed device cleaning, disinfection and sterilization in their list of Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for Healthcare Organizations report. 

Prevention

To combat infection, we offer a slate of cleaners and disinfectants like SideKick and Blu62 that are formulated to optimize equipment and instrument lifespan, while supporting the need to meet evidence-based cleaning and disinfecting standards.


Challenge: Drug diversion

Our customers told us that they were battling the effects of DEA-regulated controlled substance diversion.

Prevention

So we created a secure alternative for drug waste: the Cactus Smart Sink System. The Cactus Smart Sink System automatically secures and renders controlled substance waste unusable and non-retrievable while providing a secured bridge from traditional drug disposal to proper and responsible disposal.


Challenge: Back injuries during transport

Medics experience frequent spinal loading due to repetitive motions such as lifting, lowering, carrying, and bending. An estimated 34% of EMS work-related injuries are sprain or strain, and 35% of these injuries are located in the lower trunk.2

Prevention

We design products to help you save lives and your back during transport. Our industry-leading powered ambulance cot, the Power Pro-XT assists you in lifting and lowering the cot. While Power-LOAD, our powered cot fastener system, helps boost safety by supporting the cot throughout loading and unloading. The reduction in spinal load helps prevent cumulative trauma injuries.


Challenge: Sponge safety

88% of retained surgical sponge cases had a false correct count.However these types of adverse events -leaving sponges behind -are preventable.

Prevention

Using a smart technology like the SurgiCount Safety Sponge System verifies removal of each individually barcoded sponge to ensure all sponges are accounted for with evidence-based outcome.


Challenge: Pressure injuries

With 2.5 million patients treated for hospital-acquired pressure injuries annually in the U.S.4, the cost of treatment is on the rise. Pressure injury care in the U.S. approaches $11 billion annually.5

Prevention

Hospitals can help prevent and treat all pressure injuries (stages 1-4, unstageable and deep tissue injury) with the Isolibrium Support Surface and IsoTourGel support surface. Unique technology addresses pressure redistribution, shear and moisture. Additionally, the Isolibrium combines this with a clinically relevant pulmonary solution.6


Challenge: Surgical smoke

It's estimated that 500,000 workers are exposed to laser and electrosurgical smoke each year,putting them at risk for chronic bronchitis, carcinoma, leukemia, cardiovascular disfunction and more.

Prevention

We developed a solution that protects staff and their patients from surgical smoke while improving workflow at the same time.Neptune SafeAir supports surgical smoke evacuation in the O.R.


Challenge: Falls

While being treated in a hospital, roughly 850,000 patients experience a fall.On average, there is a fall injury every 13 seconds.10 We know fall prevention is a top priority for our customers.

Prevention

For a proactive approach to fall prevention, our S3 MedSurg Bed, and InTouch Critical Care bed, combined with the iBed Wireless Smartbed Technology offer enhanced risk monitoring abilities and the tools that help caregivers to respond in a timely manner.