This episode is part of our in-depth coverage of the Healthcare Infection Transmission Systems Consortium (HITS) 2018 conference in Nashville, TN that took place September 18-20th. Check out all our HITS 2018 episodes here, and look for more throughout the month of October.
There are plenty of reasons to be concerned with air quality in the hospital environment. The obvious ones are related to patient safety, but as we move toward a more consumer-directed healthcare system and as CMS continues to incentivize a positive patient experience through HCAHPS surveys (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) and other programs, it’s important to address patient perception too.
On this episode, we’re talking clean air and patient satisfaction with Samantha Kitchen, Director at Radic8 Ltd. Sammy explains how a well-placed air quality system can eliminate air contaminants, alleviate foul smells that leave a bad impression, and give patients peace of mind.
A few highlights from our conversation with Radic8:
- After becoming the gold standard for air sterilization in Canada, Radic8 is ready to bring us new tech from the UK that can reduce airborne viruses by 99.9999%.
- The primary challenge is still about educating hospitals. The message: you can control what you touch but can’t control what you breathe.
- Radic8 is wall-mounted, circulating sterilized air within the room. This allows you to maintain air quality standards with no need to heat, cool or treat the air, bringing HVAC costs down.
- Radic8 helps with HCAHPS and patient satisfaction scores. The reduction in strange smells is huge for helping patients feel like they’re in a clean environment.
- Home units are available too. With Hextio, Radic8 used the same hospital virus-killing technology and shrunk it into a compact, 12-inch unit that provides a direct flow of clean air to your child, workplace, or in a hotel. It’s great to have large units in the hospital but people need this everywhere.
- Radic8.com looking for partners in the US
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This episode was recorded on site at the HITS 2018 conference in Nashville, TN. Check out all our HITS 2018 episodes here, and look for more throughout the month of October.
Thank you to HITS, Christine Greene of NSF International, Kelly Reynolds of the University of Arizona and Michael Diamond of The Infection Prevention Strategy for working with us on this conference coverage. It was a great event, in a great city, attended by true heroes of Infection Prevention and Control from all over the world.
Be sure to check out the next HITS conference in August 2019 in Buffalo, NY!
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About The HITS 2018 Conference:
The HITS 2018 Conference was held on September 18-20th in Nashville, TN. HITS 2018 offers a unique forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections and promoting “hospital health”. The 2018 HITS “Catalyst for Change” Conference is a working conference, bringing together research scientists, industry and healthcare professionals for an interdisciplinary and dynamic approach. We work together to understand and prevent the transmission of pathogens throughout the hospital facility through a collaborative effort that includes engaging in applied research. The conference is accredited as a provider for continuing education units (CEUs) through National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). Join us for this one-of-a-kind, multimodal event where researchers and experts from across disciplines will work toward identifying research gaps and applying data-driven methods in the field. Meet, greet and share ideas with the individuals and organizations who are growing and sustaining the industry as we explore creative and innovative solutions to this global problem. The full 2018 schedule can be found at https://hitsconsortium.org/2018-nashville/2018-schedule/
The HITS organizing committee has assembled world experts and key opinion leaders to share their knowledge and expertise. We host a research poster session to hear from those in healthcare about the research being conducted in their facilities. We also incorporate workshop breakout sessions each day in order to provide a unique forum through which everyone can interact and be innovative as we work to identify potential solutions to key barriers and develop an agenda for change moving forward into the next year. After the conference, members have the opportunity to become involved in one of the many research workgroups conducting research around pathogen transmission in healthcare.
Check out highlights from the HITS 2017 conference: https://hitsconsortium.org/2017-hits-highlight-reel/
For media inquiries: https://hitsconsortium.org/media/
For more information, please visit the HITS Consortium website: https://hitsconsortium.org/ or email us: info@HITSconsortium.org
Checkout our conference preview episode: HITS 2018 A Catalyst for Change in Infection Control – Episode 67 w/ Dr. Christine Greene and Dr. Kelly Reynolds.
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About Samantha Kitchen:
Experienced Company Director with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. Strong business development professional skilled in Customer Service, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Marketing Strategy, and Public Speaking.
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About Radic8:
Radic8 is an independent air purification company based in the UK. With a strong belief that everybody has the right to clean air, Radic8 are passionate about innovating and distributing the very best technology in their field.
The Infection Prevention Strategy named Radic8’s Viruskiller Technology as one of its Top Innovations of the Year: 2018.
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Related and/or Mentioned on the Show:
Check out all the #HCBiz Show! Infection Prevention and Control coverage.
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