Air& Surface DECONTAMINATION
EVALUATING DISINFECTION TECHNOLOGIES AMID FUTURE PANDEMIC MITIGATION STRATEGIES
F
Beth Krah
rank Zappa once said, “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” That is true when it comes to advancing technologies. The Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) this year saw the Vector by REV — a fully electric fire truck; Darley had their popular robotic dog that could correct itself and stand back up if it was bumped into, and Horton had the bare bones of an ambulance without cabinetry so that you could see the detailed craftsmanship behind the scenes. Author Tim O’Reilly, the founder of O’Reilly Media, once said, “What new technology does is create new opportunities to do a job that customers want to be done.” New technologies give us the opportunity to accomplish the same goals more effectively and with less risk to the environment and our crews. Fire and EMS are two of the toughest industries for new technologies to break into. In the healthcare market, the average length of time for a new technology to be accepted and utilized is approximately 17 years. We’ve all seen the latest and greatest gadgets show up at trade shows with a bang and fizzle out after a few years. Some technologies are ahead of their time and may take decades before an industry identifies the need and recognizes viable solutions. Other technologies have been around for decades, but until the onslaught of the Coronavirus, drew little attention. Well-known industry-specific technologies will cross over into other industries when the need arises but may appear new and unproven. As panic reverberated throughout the world, many were flying by the seat of their pants and couldn’t breathe, let alone take the time to do proper research. How many of you felt like you took a technological stab in the dark, crossed your fingers, and held your breath?
back to it later. Anytime there’s an impending need, there are droves of companies ready to sell you the latest gadget, but who can be trusted to provide you with tailormade solutions for your specific needs and budget? How much of it is hype, and which ones have been proven with a strong history of doing what they claim to do? Like talking to your local mechanic before deciding on a car brand, speak to your ambulance and fire apparatus dealers. Many have been around for decades and have seen which products work well and which ones have little to offer. We now see that some systems are causing rips in vinyl, peeling off chrome plating, and hazing or discoloring acrylic cabinet windows. Other systems are causing headaches. Talk to those who have used the system for several years before making your decision. TECHNOLOGY ATTRIBUTES
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Passive vs. Aggressive: Does the system require the pathogen or contaminant to pass by or through the unit to be treated, or do they aggressively go out and attack contaminants in the air and on surfaces? Does it handle your air space as well, or just surfaces? Chemicals vs. Chemical-Free: What is the agent doing the
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deactivating or killing? Many chemicals will kill contaminants but often require the user to don PPE to use the system. Consider how these chemicals affect sensitive equipment and surfaces and if they have any residual effects worth noting? Repeated Treatments (for unoccupied spaces) vs. Continuous Treatments (for occupied spaces): Can the treatment be used while the area is occupied, or is there a need to take the truck out of service for treatment, and for how long? How often do these treatments need to take place for your rig to be safe? Are there continuous, non-toxic options that are a good fit for your fleet? Made in Country or Internationally: Consider supply chain capabilities and how a natural disaster or a political occurrence may affect getting the product in the door. In-country products typically have greater abilities to supply on demand when the world is in turmoil.1
CONSIDERATIONS Maintenance: Even the most effective technologies can be ineffective if not used properly or maintained to the manufacturer’s instructions. I’ve heard many stories
of healthcare facilities spending plenty of money on robots that rarely come out of the closet because the bed was needed immediately, and treating the room just took too much time. A new patient has a 39-353% chance of contracting the previous patient’s pathogen in a hospital bed2 – how does that translate to the back of an ambulance? It is essential to get a copy of the manufacturer’s instructions to be clear on how to keep the system up to par on a consistent basis. If the technology was installed at the factory or through a dealer, ask them to forward you the manual or contact the manufacturer to see what needs to be maintained. Some technologies require an annual replacement of the air purification cell to keep the unit performing at optimal levels. How often do you need to replace the filter or change the UV bulb? Please make a point to put it in your maintenance schedule. When do you need to re-apply any antimicrobial coatings? Replacement Parts and Residual Costs: Between maintenance, replacement cells, UV bulbs, chemical solutions, filters, etc., annual costs can add up. Be sure to have residual costs accounted for in your budget. Training and Man Hours: Which systems require training your crew
WHICH TECHNOLOGIES ARE LEGIT? Within the infection prevention and control realm, we’ve got everything from robots to foggers and electrostatic sprayers to technologies you can’t even see working. Not many were able to take the time to review white papers and clinical trials to see if a new gadget was worth considering - and sifting through all the data left you frustrated and confused as you pushed it aside and resolved to get 44 | CAROLINA FIRE RESCUE EMS JOURNAL | SUMMER 2022
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