Hospital sleep centers are shifting from reusable equipment to one-time-use thermistors, EEG electrodes, CPAP tubing, respiratory effort belts, and more, according to an article on Sleep Review website.
The shift has been linked to increased focus on hospital infection control, among other factors.
Disposables are seen as an easier way to earn (re)accreditation if infection control protocols are of concern, particularly for Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, the article said.
High-level disinfection protocols for reusables can be expensive. Sleep supplies that touch mucus membranes or non-intact skin must undergo high-level disinfection before being used on another patient.
Study Outlines Hand Hygiene Guidelines for EVS Staff
McCarthy Completes $65M Sharp Rees-Stealy Kearny Mesa MOB Modernization
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Opens St. Petersburg Bayfront Location
Healthcare Workers Need Better Workplaces
Protecting Patients Through Design and Compliance at Altru Health System