Bacterial Colonisation
on Blood Pressure Cuffs

Single Patient Use Solution

Key Benefits

Disposable Cuffs are recommended in Guidelines for prevention and control of infection

With around 200,000 healthcare-associated infections in Australian acute healthcare facilities each year³, the problem does not just affect patients and workers in hospitals. It can occur in any healthcare setting including office-based practices. Any person working in or entering a health care facility is at risk.

Recommendation: “Use patient-dedicated equipment or single-use non-critical patient-care equipment . . .”4

“There is clear evidence that certain infectious agents are transmitted by direct or indirect contact during patient care . . . Indirect transmission involves transfer of an infectious agent through a contaminated intermediate object or person . ." 4

“The high rate of BP cuff contamination (82.1%) observed in this study was not a surprise, as no other piece of hospital equipment was in more common use without adequate disinfection…”

Reference: C.J. Uneke et. Al. (2011) The Potential for Transmission of Hospital-Acquired Infections by Non-critical Medical Devices: The Role of Thermometers and Blood Pressure Cuffs, World Health & Population 12 (3) :5-12.

A recent study investigating a specific outbreak in St. Augustine’s Hospital found that most spread appeared to be facilitated by staff and patient movement as well as through shared equipment including thermometers, stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs.

Reference: Report into a nosocomial outbreak at Netcare St. Augustine’s Hospital Lessells R, Moosa Y, de Oliveira T. 15 May 2020. Available at: https://www.krisp.org.za/manuscripts/StAugustinesHospitalOutbreakInvestigation_FinalReport_15may2020_comp.pdf.

A recent study showed that mild upper respiratory tract involvement in a SAR-CoV-2 infected patient resulted in extensive environmental surface contamination, including the stethoscope.

Reference: Air, surface environmental, and personal protective equipment contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) from a symptomatic patient Ong SWX, Tan YK, Chia PY, Lee TH, Ng OT, Wong MSY, Marimuthu K. JAMA. 2020;323:1610–1612.

In a study examining contamination rates of keyboards in teaching hospitals, 100 keyboards in 29 clinical areas were tested for bacterial contamination. Of those, 95% tested positive for microorganisms.

Reference: Maureen Schultz, MSN, CIC; Janet Gill, BSN, CIC; Sabiha Zubairi, MT; Ruth Huber, MS, CIC; Fred Gordin, MD; Bacterial Contamination of Computer Keyboards in a Teaching Hospital, The University of Chicago Press and The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY CONCISE COMMUNICATIONS April 2003, Vol. 24 No. 4.

Product Focus

Welch Allyn

FlexiPort EcoCuff Single Patient Use Blood Pressure Cuffs

QUICK OVERVIEW:

Lower your risk of cross-contamination. Control costs. Reduce your hospital's environmental impact. With FlexiPort EcoCuff Single Patient use Blood Pressure Cuffs, it's not just possible - it's simple.

FEATURES:

• FlexiPort technology enables every cuff to be used as one or two-tube. 
• Durable enough to last for a complete patient stay
• Features the Welch Allyn FlexiPort single-point connection port
• Slot-fitting system helps prevent mis-cuffing
• Recyclable
• Up to 60% lower environmental impact than traditional blood pressure cuffs
• Meets all the latest clinical guidelines for proper fit from AAMI and AHA
• Does not contain BPA, DEHP, Latex or PVC

Welch Allyn

FlexiPort Disposable Blood Pressure Cuffs

QUICK OVERVIEW:

When it comes to standardising blood pressure cuffs, Welch Allyn FlexiPort blood pressure cuffs can help facilities improve financial outcomes and enhance patient safety with options that help streamline workflow and inventory management and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

FEATURES:

• FlexiPort technology enables every cuff to be used as one or two-tube. 
• Durable enough for extended patient stays.
• Affordable for single-patient use to help reduce cross-contamination risk.
  
• Port can be rotated for improved patient comfort
• Pair the FlexiPort Blood Pressure Cuffs with one of our Welch Allyn multiparameter vital signs monitors.

Welch Allyn

Spot Vital Signs 4400 Device

QUICK OVERVIEW:

The Spot Vital Signs 4400 Device delivers a digital, consolidated way to capture your patient’s vitals with a simple touchscreen display. Quickly capture a full set of patient vital signs—including temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and SpO2 – right from the home screen in about 60 seconds.

FEATURES:

• Options for documenting patient observations  (i.e. Respiration Rate, BMI). Durable enough for extended patient stays.
• Can be used one-per-room to align with WHO’s recommendation of dedicated monitor-to-patient for isolation, infection prevention and control.

Welch Allyn

Connex Spot Monitor

QUICK OVERVIEW:

Easy-to-use and provides accurate vital signs measurement including blood pressure averaging, digital respiration rate, spot checking, interval monitoring and custom scoring across patient populations.

FEATURES:

• Limits clinician exposure to infected patients.
• Aligns to WHO’s recommendation of dedicated monitor-to-patient for isolation, infection prevention and control.
• Automated Early Warning Scoring to help clinicians identify and respond to signs of patient deterioration (i.e. MEWS, NEWS).

KEY TAKEAWAYS