Healthcare professionals and others who work in a medical setting have higher chances of contracting viral and bacterial infections from exposure. The same goes for people who accompany patients to a hospital. They need robust protection from diseases through various tools.
Safety & mobility equipment help minimise the vulnerability to a great extent. Protective accessories, cleaning supplies, bed, etc., are of vital importance in a medical facility.
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Safety Glasses
Safety glasses used in a medical setting must meet the requirements of the concerned authority. They are protective eyewear most often made with toughened glass to protect the eye and the area surrounding the eye.
The frames of these glasses are usually stronger than those of normal spectacles, and their lenses are made of glass or polycarbonate. These glasses are also more impact-resistant than regular glasses. Safety glasses used in a hospital should be cleaned and sanitised every day. They should be stored in a clean place where they can’t fall or be stepped on.
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Face Shields and Masks
Masks and face shields aren’t easy to breathe in, but they provide much-needed protection from viruses. Masks can help filter the air you breathe in and the air you breathe out. This additional protective layer over your mouth and nose acts as barriers against viruses and bacteria. Masks also reduce the possibility of spreading viral infection through sneezing or coughing.
Face shields are not substitutes for masks. However, they provide added protection to your eyes and your whole face.
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Lab Coats and Gowns
People who operate in a hospital or other health care setting may be required to use safety and mobility equipment like lab coats and gowns. They are a barrier protection method and protect your body from coming into direct contact with pathogens and viruses. They are made of protective material and offer resistance to heat and fire. Lab coats and gowns also play a significant role in preventing cross-contamination. They make your workspace safer.
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Hair Covers and Shoe Covers
Primarily, hair covers and shoe covers help add barrier protection to your head and feet. Hair caps also protect hair from contaminating the workspace. They are essential in medical spaces like NICUs and ICUs, where sterility is important. Disposable caps might be the best option. Shoe covers prevent shoes from absorbing harmful chemicals or disinfectants used to sanitise the hospital. They are appropriate for lab and hospital wear and also prevent contamination from dirt present in shoes.
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Bed and Equipment Protection Tools
They include disposable waterproof mattresses, trolley covers, and disposable sheets. They protect the bed from fluid damage and reduce the chances of infections resulting from non-disposable bed covers. These covers are usually made with bacteria-resistant material that is easy to dispose of. They are used in operation labs and other high infection risk situations. Regular covers may absorb blood and other fluids resulting from surgery. Disposable covers don’t pose this risk.
Other Safety Equipment
Other safety equipment like disposable curtains are also recommended for use in health care centres. Disposable curtains are more effective than washable curtains in a highly infection-prone medical unit. They enhance the chances of infection control and containment.
The use of safety equipment like patient handling slings enhance the safety of patients and medical professionals.
Protective Measures are Vital
Proper sanitisation, cleaning, and protection are imperative in controlling infections and diseases. They become even more critical in a hospital or medical facility swarming with different viruses and bacteria. Proper cleaning of medical tools and equipment used to treat patients could help limit infections. Taking chances with protection and safety may be a huge mistake.