What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is an emerging pathogenic fungus that has caused outbreaks in healthcare facilities worldwide. This fungus can cause severe infections in patients, particularly those who are immunocompromised, and is associated with high mortality rates.
Why is Candida auris a problem for hospitals and nursing homes?
Infections caused by Candida auris are challenging to treat, as it is resistant to many antifungal agents. Therefore, prevention of infections is critical to controlling the spread of this pathogen.
How is Candida auris spread?
Candida auris can spread in a variety of ways, including through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, person-to-person contact, and exposure to contaminated fluids.
How to prevent Candida auris
Preventing the spread of Candida auris is critical in reducing the incidence of infections. Some of the most effective measures to prevent Candida auris include:
- Good hygiene practices
- Infection control measures
- Early detection
- Environmental control
- Education and training
Hand hygiene in particular is crucial in preventing the transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers frequently encounter patients, contaminated surfaces, and equipment, making them more prone to transmitting infections. Thus, it is essential to ensure that they practice hand hygiene regularly and effectively.
BioVigil’s Hand Hygiene Solution uses badge-based technology to remind health care workers to clean hands before and after patient interactions and provides real-time feedback on their hand hygiene practices. This system improves hand hygiene compliance and reduces the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
How does BioVigil prevent infections like Candida auris?
The BioVigil badge is worn on workers’ uniforms and uses infrared technology to detect when they enter and exit a patient’s room. The badge also detects when healthcare workers clean their hands using soap and water or hand sanitizer. If they have not cleaned their hands before entering the patient’s room or before providing care, the badge vibrates and flashes red, reminding the healthcare worker to clean their hands.
The system collects data on the frequency and effectiveness of hand hygiene practices. This information is available in real-time to healthcare managers and can be used to identify areas where hand hygiene compliance is low and to provide targeted education as needed.
Various studies have shown that the BioVigil Hand Hygiene system can significantly improve hand hygiene compliance in healthcare settings, which helps prevent the spread of Candida auris and other infectious agents in health care settings.