Isolation caddy

Abstract

Bulky isolation supplies of gowns, masks, and gloves are often located in patients' rooms, hall isolation carts, and boxes; these inconvenient supply locations clutter hallways of healthcare facilities and pose fire, logistic, and regulatory problems. Due to space limitations, the proposed hanging storage unit had to be capable of being hung from a door, needed to contain items for patients on isolation, and required variable pocket sizes to accommodate isolation gowns, face masks, regulated medical waste bags and tags, stethoscope, and thermometer. Nomex, a fire retardant material that can be chemically cleaned, was light weight, and conveniently woven, was finally selected as the fabric of choice. This invention is not limited to a reusable fabric, a disposable fabric is another alternative. Christmas wreath hangers were used to secure the bag to the door. The heavy-duty hangers held the weight of the caddy and the contents and allowed the door to close securely.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing medical supplies.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002] Drug-resistant pathogens are a growing menace to all people, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic background. They endanger people in affluent, industrial societies like the United States, as well as in less developed nations. While anyone may acquire a drug-resistant infection, certain people are at increased risk, e.g., patients in hospitals and children in daycare centers.[0003] The costs of treating antimicrobial resistant (AR) infections place a significant burden on society--a burden that is likely to grow larger as the number of cases of drug-resistant illness increase. Individuals infected with drug-resistant organisms are more likely to require hospitalization, to remain in the hospital for a longer time, and to have a poor prognosis. For example, it has been estimated that the in-hospital cost of hospital-acquired infections caused by just six common ki...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] A feature of the invention is the ability to store isolation supplies in a central location close to a patient's room without cluttering the hallway and creating a safety hazard.

[0013] Another feature of the invention is the ability to roll or fold the isolation caddy with supplies secured in the pockets for easy transport and storage.

[0014] Another feature of the invention is that is fire retardant Another advantage of the invention is that it can be chemically disinfected thereby eliminating the need for the isolation caddy to leave the hospital. Another advantage of the invention is that it encourages isolation compliance, thus aiding in the prevention of the spread antibiotic resistance.

Problems solved by technology

They endanger people in affluent, industrial societies like the United States, as well as in less developed nations.

While anyone may acquire a drug-resistant infection, certain people are at increased risk, e.g., patients in hospitals and children in daycare centers.

The costs of treating antimicrobial resistant (AR) infections place a significant burden on society--a burden that is likely to grow larger as the number of cases of drug-resistant illness increase.

Individuals infected with drug-resistant organisms are more likely to require hospitalization, to remain in the hospital for a longer time, and to have a poor prognosis.

Nosocomial infections, those acquired in the hospital, have been recognized for over a century as a critical problem affecting the quality of healthcare and a principal source of adverse healthcare outcomes.

Because agent and host factors are difficult to control, interruption of transfer of microorganisms is directed primarily at transmission.

While providing convenient access to healthcare workers, these storage locations also create fire and safety hazards by cluttering rooms and hallways.

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