Every year the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) holds the largest conference of infection preventionists (IPs) in the world. This year, APIC's 46th annual conference was held in Philadelphia, PA, from June 12-14. The conference included networking opportunities, over one hundred educational sessions, and nearly three hundred solutions providers in the world’s largest exhibit hall dedicated to infection prevention and control.
Karen Hoffmann, 2019 APIC President, said in an address during the conference, “We have learned that the more we partner, the more success we have because nothing changes in isolation.” This statement accurately reflects the values and core purpose of APIC. By gathering thousands of IPs from around the globe and allowing them to learn from one another and collaborate, APIC is making moves toward its ultimate goal: a vision for healthcare without infection.
Among the 270 solutions providers at APIC was CS Medical; launching our latest innovation: TEEClean Automated TEE Probe Cleaner Disinfector. The new TEEClean is unique on the market of TEE probe reprocessors in that it is the first device that both cleans and high-level disinfects TEE probes that have been bedside cleaned.
In healthcare, the value of having one device handle both cleaning and high-level disinfection will improve not only patient safety but also reduce probe handling that ultimately will decrease damage and operating costs for the hospital. By developing new and exciting technologies like TEEClean, CS Medical hopes to be a part of the solution in preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections.
The core value expressed by Hoffmann shines through in the design, development and ultimate FDA clearance of TEEClean. It was truly a combined effort of CS Medical staff, various healthcare facilities and the TEE ultrasound probe manufacturers. The release of TEEClean at APIC perfectly showcased how industry and healthcare can come together to provide real-life solutions to TEE probe reprocessing. Healthcare facilities, ultrasound probe manufacturers, independent laboratories and the CS Medical engineering, science and marketing teams worked flawlessly to bring TEEClean from concept to reality.
After years of hard work collaborating and developing TEEClean, CS Medical's team was very excited to finally get the chance to present TEEClean to IPs and get their reactions to the new technology. Customers responded very positively to TEEClean and loved the new technology incorporated into the medical device. They loved the fact that it now cleans as well as disinfects and that the results can be captured and stored electronically. Many current TD 100® customers visited the CS Medical booth and many asked for additional information on TEEClean.
APIC is a great way for IP professionals to interact with others in their field and learn about the latest developments in infection prevention and control. Next year's APIC conference will be held in Phoenix, AZ, from June 10-12. CS Medical will be there showcasing all of our products and developments; we hope to see you there!
