InfectionControl.tips and The Infection Prevention Strategy recently announced the winners of its Top Innovations of the Year for 2017, as chosen by attendees at the Canadian Association for Environmental Management (CAEM) conference.

Finalists were previously determined by InfectionControl.tips based on its Call to Action for engagement. CAEM attendees, including experts in infection prevention and control, then voted for their top three picks during the conference at the end of September. Here are the top three, along with a list of all the Top Innovations of the Year.

First Place

WelloStation – Wello Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
People often overestimate their own healthiness and doing so can have negative consequences when employees decide to continue to work while sick. Depending on the work environment and the illness, a sick employee can infect coworkers, customers, students, patients, and the general public. The introduction of a screening system to prevent infected individuals from spreading pathogens could have a real, positive impact on public health by mandating employee absenteeism during illness. A recent study by InfectionControl.tips showed that adoption of this new technology to provide high-throughput, self-service temperature screening of individuals in public spaces could dramatically reduce the spread of disease. http://www.welloinc.com/

Runner-Up

PURE Hard Surface – Intercon Chemicals
Why was this innovation chosen?
A non-caustic, low-level disinfectant should be employed for regular cleaning, as we demonstrated in a recent study, where lnfectionControl.tips evaluated the ability of a sodium hypochlorite disinfectant and PURE Hard Surface to eliminate Staphylococcus au reus and Escherichia coli from three different surfaces. Sodium hypochlorite and PURE Hard Surface were similarly effective in reducing bacterial load, resulting in a greater than nine-fold logarithmic reduction. Pure has a Level IV toxicity rating from the EPA, is odorless and has no caution or hazard warnings on the label. http://www.interconchemicals.com/

Second Runner-Up

GOJO Smartlink – GOJO Industries, Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
Real-time monitoring of dispensers is long overdue. The GOJO SMARTLINK system provides the ability to focus on hand hygiene while increasing productivity through proactive and predictive alerts and alarms for dispenser health. This is the evolution of smarter service in hand hygiene. http://www.gojo.com/en-CA/

Finalists

SYN-004 (ribazamase) – Synthetic Biologics, Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
Synthetic Biologics is developing a novel and innovative approach to protecting a patient’s gut microbiome from antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis, as well as potentially reducing the emergence of AMR in the gut. Innovative approaches to preventing CDI and the emergence of AMR are important to ensuring the longevity and efficacy of existing antibiotics. Ribaxamase may represent a new, disruptive and simple approach, which may lead to more effective and efficient use of antibiotic therapies. http://www.syntheticbiologics.com/

VidaShield – American Green Technology
Why was this innovation chosen?
Air quality is a critical factor in the prevention of infections. VidaShield’s ability to provide continuous UV-C bacteria and fungi reduction without labour requirements is a positive step towards creating a cleaner environment, increased patient safety, lower costs due to lower infection rates, a better working environment, and lower staff absenteeism. http://www.vidashield.ca/

NPH Stabilized Neutral pH Sodium Hypochlorite – Process Cleaning Solutions
Why was this innovation chosen?
Hypochlorous acid neutral pH solutions are a responsible chemistry choice for all environments. By scaling the concentration up or down, and pairing the solution with a microfiber wiping process, the facility can achieve the appropriate level of disinfection for the situation, without the caustic effect of traditional products. lnfectionControl.tips recently published some amazing results from Crem Co Labs entitled, Preliminary Field-Relevant Test to Assess Decontamination of High-Touch Environmental Surfaces: Testing with Staphylococcus Aureus, which details how the use of microfiber fabric greatly reduced the number of CFU, but was further enhanced by the addition of the hypochlorous acid. http://www.processcleaningsolutions.com/

PneumaPure Filter Technology – Gabriel Scientific OU
Why was this innovation chosen?
Pneuma Pure filter technology is an important breakthrough in the fight against HAl’s. Just as handwashing, door handles and the equipment associated with patient environments have all been addressed from the IPC perspective, now a greater locus of HAl risk can be resolved. The threat to patient, caregiver, and visitor safety from contaminated bedding interiors is so apparent that it could be argued that Pneuma Pure filter technology should be not just recommended for adoption, but mandated. In hotels, there are significant benefits from a room hygiene and guest safety perspective; in the home, there is a clear benefit from the significant reduction in exposure to asthma and allergy triggers. http://www.sleepangel-medical.com/

healtHcentric Medical Grade Seating – healtHcentric
Why was this innovation chosen?
healtHcentric medical grade seating is seamless, impervious and stands up to hospital-grade disinfectants, including sporicidal disinfectants and Ultra Violet lighting disinfection technology. This innovation ensures that healthcare furnishings are not harbouring harmful bacteria and helps Environmental Services teams clean and disinfect all areas of the seating with ease and effectiveness. http://www.healthcentric.com/

QORA Stool Management Kit – Consure Medical
Why was this innovation chosen?
Qora is a breakthrough technology in the fecal containment, infection control, and wound care categories. Patient safety and protection are paramount. The Qora technology sets itself apart from the current products in the bowel management space with a novel, self-expanding fecal diverter uniquely engineered to be safer and more applicable for patients suffering from poor bowel control. Qora helps to eliminate potential cross-contamination and exposure to infectious bacteria for both patient and care providers. Hospital acquired complications increase morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and treatment costs. Challenges exist across the continuum of care to effectively protect the skin and facility from fecal contamination, which often leads to nosocomial infections. Qora is a solution to this challenge. http://www.consuremedical.com/

The Semmelweis System – CleanScan LLC
Why was this innovation chosen?
Hands are an important link in the chain of infection. Unclean hands are often the culprit for the spread of numerous infectious diseases, but the risk can be mitigated through an appropriate hand hygiene regimen. In one study, participant attitudes towards hand hygiene and the efficacy of hand disinfection with an alcohol-based hand rub were tested using a questionnaire and the Semmelweis Hand Hygiene Scanner. Most subjects reported that their use was dependent on the availability of disinfectant dispensers. The use of the Semmelweis Scanner provided real time results for the subjects, who were overwhelmingly open to improving their own hand hygiene technique following evaluation. http://www.handinscan.com/

Whole Room UV-C Disinfection – Surfacide
Why was this innovation chosen?
UV-C disinfection is a powerful tool that is allowing healthcare facilities to provide a safer environment for patients and staff. The new Scrub or limited area disinfection, further expands the ability of healthcare facilities worldwide to disinfect not only entire rooms, but specific critical areas. http://www.surfacide.com/

STAL Shield – Prodaptive Medical
Why was this innovation chosen?
The simplicity of this device provides the healthcare environment with an extra layer of protection at the source. When personal protective equipment is indicated against droplet, vaporized, expectorated, spurted or splashed infective agents and contaminants, the STAL Shield can block, shield and reflect fomites and protect the work environment, including patients, personnel, visitors, equipment, and surfaces. http://www.prodaptivemedical.com/

PURELL Single Use – GOJO Industries, Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
PURELL Advanced Single Use packaging is unique, delivering an adequate quantity of hand sanitizer in a highly portable format. Measuring only one-and-a-half inches by two inches times one millimetre, small packets can be included in medical kits, patient lunch trays, school lunch boxes, your wallet or purse, first aid kits, airline meal trays or any other place where clean hands will reduce the spread of disease. To use them, you simply flip them in half and squeeze out precisely one-point-two millilitres of 70 per cent ethyl alcohol PURELL hand sanitizer. http://www.gojo.com/en-CA/

TopLine Cleaning and Disinfection Appliances – MEIKO, US
Why was this innovation chosen?
Efficient and effective cleaning of patient tools is critical for proper infection prevention. The MEIKO Topline cleaning and disinfection machines provide a process that ensures disinfection efficacy and compliance. The process represents a significant improvement over disposables. http://www.meiko.us/

SmartFlo3 Sink – Class 1 Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
The SmartFI03 was selected as it brings engineered infection prevention to healthcare facilities with its ability to remove a link in the transmission chain for water loving pathogens and breading grounds close to patients and staff. This innovation brings another level of safety to facilities and the most “at risk” of healthcare-acquired infections. http://www.class1inc.com/

Legiolert – IDEXX Laboratories
Why was this innovation chosen?
Legiolert is an excellent tool for rapid detection of Legionella in water, producing results in as little as seven days. By cutting the detection time in half, facilities will improve their response time to protect their patients or residents from Legionnaires Disease. The test is easy to set up, significantly reduces laboratory work flow and requires no additional confirmation steps. http://www.idexx.com/water

ZoneCHEK Smarter Building Solutions – Efficient Apps Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
Audit management systems are a critical component in ensuring best practices are met. The implementation of the ZoneChek system empowers EVS, IPC and others with routine, cloud-based auditing performance reports, resulting in constructive feedback and education. http://www.efficientapps.ca/

Aereus Shield – Aereus Technologies Inc.
Why was this innovation chosen?
Aereus’ technology solution is transformational given the ability to coat complex shapes and surfaces. It is more durable and effective than chemical antimicrobial applications, which often need reapplication. No competitor can make this claim. With this technology, low-cost materials effortlessly gain metallic qualities and the important benefits of copper in seconds. The team at Aereus has developed an inexpensive solution that is a game changer in preventing the spread of infections. http://www.aereustech.com/