Arjun Luthra argues that there is a need to innovate in the field of hand hygiene, as the tools available to combat healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) have remained unchanged for quite some time. Arjun calls for a shift in perspective to address the limitations of current approaches
A fundamental shift in our approach to hand hygiene is required – the goal of innovation should be to address the limitations of the current infrastructure, practices, and hand hygiene culture in order to genuinely reduce HCAIs. To achieve this, we must look to proven technologies in the realm of medical devices, as well as pharmaceuticals, and apply that expertise to hand hygiene.
While many traditional hand sanitisers eliminate some germs, often they do not eradicate all. In addition, they tend to evaporate quickly, leaving hands vulnerable to recontamination. Innovation in hand hygiene calls for “Contact-Kill Technology” that immediately neutralises pathogens upon contact. This approach ensures that harmful microbes are effectively eliminated the moment a person encounters them.
Innovation in hand hygiene should also enable users to contribute to a cleaner and safer environment. ‘Kill-On-Touch’ technology has been developed to empower individuals to disinfect surfaces they touch. This capability extends the impact of hand hygiene beyond personal protection, creating a collective effort to reduce the transmission of HCAIs. Imagine doorknobs, elevator buttons, and shared equipment automatically sanitised by the very hands that touch them. Such an innovation could significantly reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings and beyond.
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