Blog - Infection Control | Steroplast Healthcare

Biohazard Waste Bags: Definition and Guidance

By Steroplast Healthcare , 10 Dec 2021

Biohazard waste bags are important for making sure that potentially dangerous waste material is disposed of properly and doesn’t end up hurting people, animals, or the environment. If you run a business in the UK you have a duty of care to responsibly dispose of biohazardous waste, otherwise, you could be fined or prosecuted.

In this article, we clarify what a biohazardous waste bag is used for and who needs to use them.

Does Hand Sanitizer Kill Viruses? What Else is it Effective Against?

By Steroplast Healthcare , 9 Dec 2021

Is hand sanitiser effective? The question is on everyone’s minds while we each do our part to overcome Covid-19. When asking ‘does hand sanitiser work?’ the answer depends on what you’re trying to achieve. For many people, the primary objective of using hand gel is to prevent cross-contamination of the Covid-19 virus. The truth is that hand sanitiser is highly effective at killing bacteria, fungi, and other viruses too.

A Ringworm Cleaning Protocol For Veterinary Exam Rooms

By Steroplast Healthcare , 9 Dec 2021

Dermatophytosis, otherwise known as Ringworm, is a fungal infection that can attack the fur and skin of dogs and cats. Ringworm has a high infection rate because of how easy it is to pass through contact but also fomites. Manhattan Cats found that “50% of people exposed to infected cats develop ringworm lesions and that in approximately 70% of all households with an infected cat, at least one person became infected.”

How Accurate are Non-Contact Thermometers?

By Steroplast Healthcare , 8 Dec 2021

It seems really simple: you point a laser at someone’s forehead and press a button. In a split second, you have a temperature reading. The simplicity of non-contact thermometers has got some people wondering how accurate they really are?

Find out about non-contact thermometer accuracy in this article.

How to Use a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

By Steroplast Healthcare , 3 Dec 2021

Non-contact thermometers have become an essential component of an infection control plan for many businesses. But lack of knowledge about how to use an infrared thermometer with a laser pointer correctly could mean you’re recording temperatures wrong, making your efforts futile.

Follow this guide, or show it to your staff, for how to use a non-contact forehead thermometer correctly.

How do Infrared Thermometers Work?

By Steroplast Healthcare , 25 Nov 2021

To people who haven’t seen them before, infrared thermometers might look like something straight out of an episode of Dr Who. It’s no wonder some people are hesitant about the safety of using an IR thermometer. But infrared thermometers are far more hygienic than oral, axillary and rectal thermometers, and tend to be more accurate too, provided you use a CE Certified unit.

We’ll go through how infrared thermometers work in this article.

Common Infrared Thermometer Uses

By Steroplast Healthcare , 25 Nov 2021

The infrared thermometer has all but replaced the probe and strip thermometers as a significantly more hygienic, accurate, and adaptable alternative. Sometimes called a laser thermometer or contactless thermometer, an infrared (IR) thermometer scans sections of an object with a laser to determine its ambient temperature.

The fact that infrared thermometers do not require any physical contact makes them handy for busy doctors and nurses. There is no need to sterilise between uses or use disposable probe covers. The usability of contactless thermometers is also helpful when trying to take temperature readings in hard to reach areas. So, many engineers and catering professionals use laser thermometers to measure the temperature of equipment and produce.

So, what is an infrared thermometer used for in different industries? In this article, we’ll cover the most common uses for infrared thermometers.

Are Infrared Thermometers Safe?

By Steroplast Healthcare , 25 Nov 2021

Following the surge in contactless thermometer use, some people have taken to social media to state their belief that infrared thermometers can be harmful to the people they are pointed at. One video post on Facebook depicts a conversation between a mother and dental receptionist where the mother raises concerns about what the laser thermometer will do to her children, in particular, the pineal glands in their brains.

In fact, there’s nothing dangerous about using an infrared (IR) thermometer at all, as debunked by Full Fact. We’ll explain why infrared thermometers aren’t dangerous in this article.

A Guide to Disposable Face Mask Types

By Steroplast Healthcare , 24 Nov 2021

Disposable masks have become a part of our everyday life during the Covid-19 pandemic and, with the onset of winter, many people are starting to see the benefits of their ongoing use. Not only have face masks helped to stem the spread of Covid-19 indoors and in crowded places, but they help to keep those around us safe if we’re suffering from common colds too.

In this article, we’ll look at the different types of disposable face masks and see which ones are best used in which situations.

Posted in General, Medical and Infection Control

A Guide to Disposable Face Mask Use

By Steroplast Healthcare , 10 Nov 2021

In 2021, we’ve become accustomed to checking our bags for our face masks or grabbing one before leaving the house in the morning, and with good reason. Face masks have been scientifically proven to stem the spread of Covid-19 by reducing the number of infectious moisture droplets transmitted between people through coughing, sneezing, talking, and exhaling.

In a study published by Scientific Reports, participants wearing a surgical mask or KN95 mask were found to emit 60% fewer airborne particles than those who didn’t wear one. Wearing a mask is proven to reduce particle transmission, but in order to achieve the most effective protection, different types of masks are required in different situations.

In this article, we’ll explain what different types of masks are used for, and what harmful materials masks can protect against.

Posted in General, Medical and Infection Control