Cross-infection may be defined as the transfer of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. The spread of infection may occur between the patient and practitioner if sterile/aseptic procedures are not followed or if unsanitary equipment is being used. With the spread of VRSAs (Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), MRSAs (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and other antibiotic resistant bugs becoming an increasing health concern, cross infection can destroy more than our client’s skin - it could destroy your salon’s business.
Whilst an unhygienic working environment (dirty treatment consumables and area) may appear to be the most obvious cause of cross-infection, the transmission of microorganisms by touching contaminated machinery during a procedure may be creating irreparable damage to patient’s skin, health and well being.
Common areas that increase the risk of cross-contamination include:
- Non-sterile/aseptic treatment consumables
- Gloves not being worn by the practitioner
- Unsanitary treatment room, bedding and surfaces
Areas not often considered by practitioners, that increase the risk of cross- contamination include:
- Not properly disinfecting the patient’s skin
- Touching machine consoles and buttons during a procedure (and then touching the patient’s skin)
- Using equipment that does not utilise sterile, single-use and disposable consumables.
Forms of cross infection to be aware of include the transfer of microorganisms such as:
- Bacterium (such as Golden Staph/Staphylococcus Aureus and its many forms)
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Parasites
Any treatment that draws blood or punctures the skin requires strict infection control to maintain patient and practitioner hygiene and safety.
DermapenWorld place huge importance on education, protocols and hygiene (sterile procedures) for the safety of both treatment providers and patients.
How ACM products can help provide a sterile environment and safer treatments in clinics for clients/ patients
The transfer of infection through harmful microorganisms such as bacteria (Golden Staph/ Staphylococcus Aureus), fungi, parasites and viruses from one person to another is known as cross-infection. The spread of infections can occur between people, pieces of equipment or within the body but the symptoms of cross-infection depend on the source of the infection and also the part of the body that has been infected. Many different types of infections can occur, some examples include a procedural wound infection that may cause redness, swelling and pus or infection related to needle or invasive procedures
Although good hygiene practice helps with the reduced risk of cross-infection, the spread of infection is still possible between patient and practitioner. As a result of not only just the obvious unsanitary working environments and surfaces but the possibility of cross-contamination of machinery and equipment used during a treatment causing detrimental damage to the patients' wellbeing. In addition to sterile/aseptic techniques to protect equipment and procedural items so harmful microorganisms can’t spread from patient to practitioner, are a few common areas that increase the risk of cross-contamination and aren’t being followed accurately by practitioners.
Considering areas that increase the risk of cross-contamination that is often overlooked by practitioners due to human error can put both patients and their business at a risk. Areas that appear to be disregarded are being in physical contact with machinery during procedures/ treatments where practitioners can cross-infect by touching contaminated machinery and then having direct contact with the patients' skin. Negligence can create the risk of infection is greater when undergoing an invasive procedure that draws blood or causes an open wound to the skin, as this requires strict infection control to maintain patient and practitioner hygiene and safety.
The importance of disinfecting the patient’s skin properly is also a critical component of safe and effective patient care to provide a sterile environment for procedures/ treatments and disinfection to reduce levels of microorganisms on the skin and to prevent transmission of pathogenic bacteria through contact with patients. Using equipment that does not utilise sterile, single-use and disposable consumables is a way of infection prevention ensuring non-sterile gloves, treatment clothing are ever reused.
Anti-Contamination Management (ACM) initiatives are put in place to ensure companies follow the importance of sterile and hygiene practices preventing the risk of cross-contamination for the safety of both treatment providers and patients. As part of our company policies, DermapenWorld and Dp Dermaceuticals place huge importance on education, protocols and hygiene procedures to prevent infection. Some of our important preventative measures through ACM initiatives include ACM products that can help practitioners provide a sterile environment and safer treatments in their clinics for their patients.
CLINIPREP
Offering higher levels of infection prevention and control, CLINIPREP antimicrobial cleanser offers long-lasting sustained protection and significant benefits over existing medical skin disinfectants and pre-procedure cleansers like Iodine, alcohol and Chlorhexidine Gluconate. The non-hazardous alcohol-free antimicrobial cleansing product used to cleanse (removal of surface bacteria) patients’ skin by decreasing bacterial colonisation before treatment is designed to deliver effective protection and compatibility to the skin. CLINIPREP is newly stabilised high purity Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) skin disinfection formula providing anti-microbial, anti-fungicidal, anti-virucidal and anti-sporicidal preparation for patients undergoing treatments at clinics. The Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) active ingredient in CLINIPREP binds to the skin forming an effective barrier that will keep killing a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, dermatophyte fungi and lipophilic viruses and provides a protective layer long after application to reduce the risk of acquiring an infection.
Kind to the skin CLINIPREP contains a blend of non-irritant emollients, with skin-neutral hydrogen ion concentration (pH) value it is closer to the pH of normal skin and has a high cleaning effect and makes it better for those with sensitive skin, helping to soften and hydrate the skin whilst reducing transepidermal water loss. The pH of cleanser has an effect on the skin surface by alteration of normal skin flora, moisture content and disruption of stratum corneum. The changes in pH are key elements in the induction of irritation and dryness for the inflamed skin of some patients because of Hypochlorous Acid (HOCI) preventing infection. CLINIPREP’s method of action kills pathogens that inhibit skin recovery by breaking down their cell walls due to the cleansers strongly oxidizing activity. Making it a particularly beneficial skin disinfection practice when treating areas that maybe vulnerable or susceptible to infection as the treatment types such as Chemical Peels or Micro-needling requires trauma to the skin in order for healthy cell regeneration to occur and while the skin is in recovery post treatment.
Dp Dermaceuticals ACM Sterile Dressing Kit
Sterile techniques involve strategies used by practitioners to reduce exposure to microorganisms whilst ensuring clinical surroundings and work surfaces are also free from contaminants. To take preventative measures sterile techniques are considered most appropriate in clinic/ spa settings, for patients at risk of infection. Dp Dermaceuticals ACM Sterile Dressing Kits are a sterile, ready-to-use all-in-one kits designed to meet the needs of treatment prep and procedure. Standardised for aesthetic treatments, the time saving sterile dressing kits require no preparation time and help to reduce the risk of infections. Suitable to dispense the Dp Dermaceuticals Meso-Glides into a sterile environment ready for treatments.
Kit contains:
1 standard tray
5 x non-woven bobs, latex free
2 x non-woven swabs
2 green forceps
1 yellow pair of forceps
1 paper towel
1 sterile field white plastic
DermapenWorld ACM Protection Mask
Offering hygienic protection for both practioner and client from unpleasant breath, airborne germs, microscopic saliva or residues whilst performing a treatment, DermapenWorld ACM Protection Mask is treated with 99.99% antibacterial transparent film with special anti-fog treatment for complete face visibility following ACM protocol to provide valuable protection for both treatment provider and client. Recommended as a lightweight and easy to talk through, the protection mask provides safer treatments and is suitable for many industries while ensuring the client is well protected reducing the risk of cross-infection as well as the practitioner and their business.
Dermapen DpSleeves
To reduce the risk of cross-contamination DermapenWorld have designed a protective DpSleeve to custom fit the Dermapen 4 and Dermapen 3. A sterile transparent sleeve for the device makes the control settings for the Dermapen more easily accessible and can be clearly seen through the clear sleeve, whilst protecting from and preventing cross contamination from practitioner to client/ patient.
DermapenWorld Sterile Surgical Gloves
To reduce the threat of infection, premium quality assured DermapenWorld Sterile Surgical Gloves come in individual sealed sterile (gamma irradiation sterilised) pouches and are suitable for a vast range of aesthetic/ clinical procedures. Practitioners protecting their hands with correctly sized and fitted gloves reduces the likelihood of the gloves stretching and tearing, potentially put the client/ patient at risk of cross-infections. Conforming to quality standards EN 455, QSR, GMP, ISO the ergonomically designed high quality textured gloves provide practitioners with superior barrier protection and the glove’s thickness allows for a comfortable fit and excellent tactile safety grip sensitivity during wet or dry conditions, preventing the risk of cross contamination and limit the risk of infection from spreading.
NEW! ACM Eco-Green Disposable Examination Gloves
Dp Dermaceuticals new fully biodegradable disposable examination gloves provide high levels of dexterity, protection and comfort to the practitioner’s hands during treatments. Preventing the practitioner from coming into contact with cross-contaminant risks such as dermatitis and prevent chemical irritants from causing inflammations. Latex and Nitrile free due to their lack of ability to degrade, Dp Dermaceuticals disposable gloves use organic material that attracts microbial activity in landfills ensuring the unique biodegradable characteristic of the gloves. 20% of the biodegradation rate occurs within six months, with full biodegradation occurring within five years, helping to improve the companies carbon footprint.
DERMAPEN 4 – ACM PROTECTION
Fortified with patent pending ACM technology, Dermapen 4 is an unrivalled micro-needling device with an exclusive system specially designed for the revision of deep and atrophic scars, surgical scars, burn contractures, stretch marks and post-acne scars. Regenerating the skin by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin. The penetration depth of the needle can reach up to 3.0 mm generating 104% more micro channels, with inbuilt ACM technology Dermapen 4 is the only Dermapen with gamma sterilised needle cartridges featuring a medical-grade silicone seal and fluid guard guaranteeing no cross-contamination risks. The externally exposed cartridge is protected by a specifically designed ACM fluid guard that is expertly intended to prevent any risk of cross contamination from occurring from the outer cartridge shell into the device. Utilising the most advanced needle cartridge innovation to vertically penetrate the skin, Dermapen 4 has unrivalled safety and protection guaranteed ensuring there is no backflow of procedural fluids, no cross contamination and no drag even under the most challenging of treatments. This ensures the practioners are able to focus on providing the highest-level purity of treatment process while optimising client/ patient safety through infection prevention.
The risks involved with Dermapen alternatives, such as micro-needling, are that pathogenic contaminants can enter the cartridge during a treatment and pose a risk of cross-contamination. As with any procedure, practitioners should take precaution when determining whether the procedure and treatment is right for their business and potential risk to clients/ patients. There are precautions practitioners can take to promote the most sanitary work environment and reduce micro-needling device cross-contamination using DermapenWorld and Dp Dermaceuticals ACM products endorsing the importance of preventative measures through ACM initiatives which include Dp Dermaceuticals CliniPrep antimicrobial cleanser, Dermapen DpSleeves, Dp Dermaceuticals ACM Sterile Dressing Kit, DermapenWorld ACM Protection Mask, ACM Eco-Green Disposable Examination Gloves and Sterile Surgical Gloves. Protocoled Dermapen treatments ensures complete patient safety by reducing any risk of cross-contamination, giving practitioners a peace of mind. This can be achieved with the ACM initiatives within the DermapenWorld™ Dermapen 4 virtually eliminating cross-contamination risks.
