| | Jan - FEB, 20248UTLOOKHealthcare Tech IN MY OPINIONBy Margaret Gilman, Manager, Infection Prevention and Control, NemoursIP Introducing Technology into HealthcareIn certain aspects, it may feel like healthcare has been more hesitant than the rest of society to lean heavily on technology. It is finally starting to catch up and is now integrating technology into patient care at a rapid pace. For example, infusion pumps can now document straight into our electronic medical records! As technology becomes advanced, with artificial intelligence, touchscreens, and computers in the pockets of our lab coats and white coats, healthcare has many reasons to be cautious. Significant regulatory requirements exist around the maintenance of equipment, documentation, and safety elements. Privacy concerns loom large, especially with equipment attached to the web or a cloud that is hackable. Infection prevention and patient safety are even more critical elements than ever and can sometimes derail the implementation of new products or technologies. At least one Infection Preventionist (IP) should be included in every new product analysis committee in healthcare settings. An IP brings a unique perspective, one of patient safety, infection control, human factors, and regulatory requirements combined. When bringing in new products and technologies, an IP will assess several factors. Let's dive into what an IP's role can be when assessing new technologies and how to ensure a successful implementation.ApprovalIdentifying if an item is approved/cleared by the Food and Drug Administration is one of the first steps in assessing products. While this is done for a variety of reasons, the IP is looking to ensure that the proper documentation will be provided with the device. In addition, the IP will be looking to determine whether the methodology for cleaning/disinfection is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.Margaret Gilman
< Page 7 | Page 9 >