Vernacare in conjunction with IDS Medical Systems (idsMED) has secured a significant contract from National University Hospital Singapore (NUH) for the full conversion of its reusable bedpan washer/disinfectant facilities to the groundbreaking Vernacare single use disposable system. Vernacare is the only company to manufacture this total infection control solution that helps hospitals make both financial and environmental costs savings, as well as increase nurse productivity.
NUH’s decision to switch systems follows a successful trial conducted across four wards including Short Stay Ward, Cardiothoracic ICU, Oncology and EMD. The bedpan washer/disinfectors and reusable receptacles were removed from these wards and replaced with Vernacare Vortex disposal units and single use receptacles. Feedback on the trial was delivered by staff associated with the trial wards. Nine out of ten respondents were in favour of the Vernacare disposable system and said they would like to continue using it.
The Verncare disposable single use system brings a number of financial, environmental, nurse time and infection control benefits. These include helping to reduce instances of hospital acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli and eliminating the breakdowns and blockages which may be associated with the use of bedpan washer/disinfectors.
Boosted nurse morale through removal of the environmental hazards associated with bedpan washer/disinfectors was an important factor in NUH’s decision to proceed with the Vernacare system. An Australian study has also shown the effect of the system on productivity and work flows for nursing staff, so their time can be released to care for patients. Following the successful trial NUH worked closely with Vernacare to fully plan the implementation and determine individual ward requirements including staff training plans.
Single use disposable systems are used within 94% of UK hospitals and can break the chain of infection by providing a clean product for every use. Single use items, provided new and unused to patients for each use, can be disposed of in the Vortex disposal unit, using cold water. Vernacare’s single use products are manufactured using over-issued clean newspaper and a wax resin to ensure products hold water for up to four hours. No bleach colouring is added, to ensure products are as environmentally friendly as possible. The products are disposed of in the market-leading Vortex disposal unit, using cold water and significantly less energy than traditional bedpan washers.
Sarah Bown, Business Development Manager, Vernacare, comments “We are delighted to work with NUH on this important infection control project, this truly has been a team endevaour involving Infection Control, OSS, Nursing teams, Hospital Management and Keppel Engineering. We have worked closely with our local distributor partner idsMED to implement the Verncare single use system at NUH, including full installation, dirty utility room set up and comprehensive staff training across the hospital. idsMED are now on hand to offer dedicated training and support to NUH.”
Source:Vernacare.com