Blog Archive for March, 2009
We want to hear from you!
Since we launched MyClyns over a year ago we have heard from several of you about the tales of exposures from bodily fluids while working in the field. From the paramedic who had vomit and blood projected on him while intubating a patient to a police officer that was spit on while handling an ornery suspect, we understand that exposures can be a scary experience for professionals that offer a public service every day. You never know when someone you encounter has been infected with pathogens such as MRSA, Hepatitis C, or human influenza.
Hearing your stories about exposures helps us understand your needs which in turn helps us improve our products or develop new ones that can serve you, our customers.
Click on the link below to view a video about an exposure story from a paramedic. This was filmed at the 2009 EMS Expo. Also you can click here to read testimonials from people that have had to use MyClyns in the past year.
Submit your story by clicking on the “Post a comment” link below or by filling out our form on our testimonials page. If you have any questions regarding our products, want to make a suggestion, or just want to drop us a line, go to our form on the contact us page and fill it out. We want and look forward to hearing from you!
Have a great week!
Joel Ivers
Union Springs Pharmaceuticals
West Jessamine student with MRSA has died
By Greg Kocher and Karla Ward
Lexington Herald Leader
A West Jessamine High School student battling a drug-resistant staph infection died Tuesday morning at the University of Kentucky Hospital.
Ryan Robinson, a junior, had been placed on life support after contracting methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, said Sam Pile, who coached the boy on the Jessamine Youth Soccer Association’s Storm Soccer Club, a traveling team. Read the rest of this entry »
The Prevalence of MRSA Transmission by Stethoscope
by Keith Wesley, MD, FACEP
Street Science
JEMS.com
2009 Mar 9
Merlin MA, Wong ML, Pryor PW: “Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on the stethoscopes of emergency medical services providers.” Prehospital Emergency Care. 13(1):71-4, 2009.
The Science
The authors of this study swabbed 50 stethoscopes of EMS providers presenting to their emergency department (ED) with patients. The swabs were then cultured to detect the presence of methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA). They found 16 (32%) colonized with MRSA. When asked, none of the 16 (32%) could recall the last time their stethoscope had been cleaned.
Inheriting Infections: Can Genes Make You Sick?
by Joe Palca
National Public Radio
Morning Edition, March 10, 2009 · It’s seems rather obvious that infectious diseases are, well, infectious. But according to a small yet growing number of researchers, your genes also play an important role in determining if an infectious disease will make you sick.
Outbreak of skin infections at San Diego Zoo traced to worker
A zookeeper infected an elephant calf that was being hand-raised because its mother couldn’t care for it, health officials say. The infection spread to as many as 20 of its human caretakers.
By Mary Engel
Los Angeles Times
March 6, 2009
An outbreak of antibiotic-resistant skin infections at the San Diego Zoo last year began when a zookeeper infected an elephant calf that was being hand-raised because its mother couldn’t care for it, according to a zoo and county health department investigation. The calf, in turn, infected as many as 20 of its human caretakers.
The next big thing from USP – T-5000!†
Union Springs Pharmaceuticals looks for unique technologies that we can bring to the market to help protect against pathogenic exposures for EMS, fire, police, corrections, military, healthcare, and government professionals.
With this in mind, USP is excited to now offer T-5000 respirators™, the only disposable respirator with Triosyn® antimicrobial technology, in addition to its revolutionary spray MyClyns™, the only germ fighting spray that can be used in the eyes, nose, mouth, and open wounds.
Union Springs Pharmaceuticals’ T-5000 Series respirators have a P95 rating as certified by NIOSH and meet the requirements of 42 CFR 84. T-5000 respirators are coated with the Triosyn antimicrobial. Triosyn provides built-in antimicrobial and antifungal activity and may reduce contact transfer of microorganisms.† T-5000 Series respirators offer a comfortable fit, peace of mind, as well as protection against particles. Its one-size-fits-all comfort and protection means it can be quickly used and worn comfortably for up to 12 hours.
Available in two designs - with (T-5000V) or without (T-5000) an exhalation valve - the respirators also provide protection against mists, splashes, and sprays of oil, blood and bodily fluids.
Adjustable straps and nose piece deliver a comfortable and secure fit. A full face foam seal also allows wearers of various face shapes and sizes to achieve a tighter fit and reduced potential air leakage.
How would you use the T-5000? When would you use it? Tell us what you think of the product. Click on the “Post a comment” link below to become a part of the conversation about issues you face with infection control in the workplace.
Have a great week and come back next Wednesday afternoon to read our latest blog entry.
Joel Ivers
Union Springs Pharmaceuticals
† NIOSH has only certified T-5000 and T-500V respirators to meet the requirements in 42 CFR 84. NIOSH does not certify, test or endorse any independent studies. .