How to Navigate the Winter Virus Outbreak

This winter, the U.S. has been dealing with quite the circumstance. An outbreak of multiple different viruses that have been spreading throughout the country, leading to many negative situations. Currently, there are 4 viruses circulating through the country: COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and norovirus. These viruses present significant public health challenges, requiring a multifaceted approach to prevention and control. But recently, an article from Infection Control News Today had focused on two of these viruses; Norovirus, and specifically, avian influenza. They released an article that showcased these two viruses and highlighted some solutions to stave them off and prevent the spread.

So in this article, we’d like to focus on the information presented in their informative article, and even provide some SAS solutions of our own to help you prevent the spread in different ways.

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The News

This winter, infection preventionists face a tough challenge: managing simultaneous outbreaks of norovirus and avian influenza on top of other ongoing health concerns. These two illnesses spread in different ways, requiring specific prevention strategies. Norovirus, a very contagious stomach bug, usually spreads through contaminated surfaces, food, or close contact with someone who’s sick. Avian influenza, on the other hand, typically jumps from birds to people, though it can sometimes spread between humans too. Dealing with both at the same time means being extra careful and having strong infection control plans in place.

Keeping infections at bay depends on a few key things. Hand hygiene is super important for stopping both norovirus and avian flu. Washing hands often with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer when you can’t wash, is a must, especially after touching things that might be dirty or being around sick people. Cleaning surfaces is also key to getting rid of germs. Using the right disinfectants that work against both norovirus and avian influenza is important, and don’t forget to clean things people touch a lot, like doorknobs and railings. Personal protective equipment (PPE), like gloves, masks, and gowns, adds another layer of protection, especially for healthcare workers taking care of infected patients.

Good communication and teamwork are also essential. Reporting suspected outbreaks quickly to health officials helps them investigate and take steps to control the spread. Open communication within hospitals, between healthcare workers, and with public health agencies helps everyone stay informed and work together effectively. This teamwork is vital for responding quickly and efficiently to outbreaks, protecting the most vulnerable people.

Global health efforts play a big role too. Global cooperation is generally seen as critical for keeping track of diseases and responding to them. Working together internationally helps us share information about new threats, like different strains of avian flu, and helps develop better tests and vaccines. Keeping these partnerships strong is important for being ready for future outbreaks.

In short, fighting the current “dual-demic” of norovirus and avian influenza needs a well-rounded strategy. We need to focus on the basics like handwashing, cleaning, and using PPE. At the same time, we need strong communication and teamwork between healthcare workers and public health groups to handle outbreaks effectively. And even though things can be complicated, global cooperation is still really important for dealing with infectious diseases.

And when it comes to the war on pathogens, Sterilizer Autoclave Solutions has everything you need. From personal protection equipment to sterilization. So let’s go over some steps you can take to stay safe against these developing outbreaks.

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The SAS Solutions

This winter war on viral infections isn’t just confined to your home, it extends beyond to things outside your abode. So you’ll need to be ready, and luckily, Sterilizer Autoclave Solutions is here to help. We have a vast range of products that not only cater to you, but can also help keep your workplace or practice safe from the spread. Whether it’s protecting your person with gloves and masks as a personal shield… Or combating the pathogens in the air with air purifiers, we’ve got your bases covered.

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Air Quality with OSO Pure

Whether it’s indoors inside your workplace or practice, personal space or even your car… OSO Pure has a solution for every need. Their line of air purifiers can help take the fight against pathogens to the air; literally. Let’s take a look at what OSO Pure has to offer.

For Rooms

For room service, we have the ADP-70 model from OSO Pure. That stands for Air Disinfecting Purifier-70.

The ADP 70 air disinfection utilizes a proven technology commonly used in hospital HVAC systems called Photocatalytic Oxidation ( PCO). These charged ions, referred to as Hydroxyl Radicals (HO), are powerful oxidizers that destroys particles as small as .001 microns. HEPA systems only filter particles down to .300 microns. The ADP 70 continuously emits HO for on contact removal of contaminants.

The ADP-70 is perfect for:

• Operatory areas
• Patient waiting or common areas
• Employee Break rooms
• Implant Processing
• Sterilization center
• Lab Processing
• Denture
• Waiting Rooms

Any unconfined area where you want to control pathogens and odors.

For Buildings

For your buildings, whether it be offices, medical practices, etc, we have the ADP-V line from OSO Pure. That stands for Air Disinfecting Purifier Ventilation.

The ADP-V Series air purifier installs in the practice’s HVAC system effectively oxidizing viruses, bacteria, mold, odors and VOC’s in the air and on surfaces. Unlike air filtration devices, the ADP emits powerful oxidizers that attack pathogens at the point of origin as opposed to waiting for them to be removed via filtration. Our process provides an extra layer of protection 24/7 to you, your staff and your patients.

Some of the ADP-V Series features are:

• Utilizes your existing system, purification is distributed evenly throughout the practice
• Reduces airborne and surface contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, VOCs, mold, and mildew
• Purifies the HVAC ducts and kills mold on the A-Coil and drip pan
• Eliminates odors at the source
• Ideal for most indoor spaces
• Safe for humans and pets
• LED function lights confirm continuous operation
• Low to no maintenance – replace cell every 2 years.

We also have the ADP-V2 and ADP-V3 available.

For Vehicles

When it comes to your vehicle’s air quality, OSO Pure even has you covered there. With their EVPP Mobile Disinfecting Purifier. That stands for Emergency Vehicle Personal Purifier

The EVPP is the perfect Air Purifier for emergency vehicles, your work vehicle, or desktop workspace. Utilizing PCO Technology along with Negative Ionization to purify air and surfaces, up to 99% of Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, Mildew, and other contaminants are rendered harmless. Odors like smoke are also eliminated, creating a cleaner safer work environment.

 

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Personal Protection with Halyard

The air is one thing, but you’ll also need protection for yourself. A personal shield that can be worn anywhere you go. Luckily, that’s Halyard’s specialty. They have a range of personal protection equipment that can get you where you need to go, safely. And they can be used anywhere. Whether you’re prepping for surgery or just navigating through your daily public commute… Halyard’s selection of masks and gloves is unparalleled when it comes to personal protection.

Halyard’s FLUIDSHIELD N95 Masks

You may have heard of N95 respirators before. An N95 respirator is a mask has specific features that set it apart from other mask types. They’re respiratory devices that sport a very close facial fit and are designed for maximum protection by creating a seal around the nose and mouth. And some also sport a square-shaped respiratory filter on the front for efficient filtration.

But Halyard took it to the next level. Their Fluidshield N95 mask takes a whole new approach to things. Sporting a sort of duck-bill shape to its mask for a splash-proof defense tactic, while ditching the traditional square filter. Instead, the Fluidshield N95 mask is lined with filtration fabric on the inside. Not only that, but there are other notable things about these masks as well:

• Halyard’s Fluidshield N95 masks are 100% FDA approved. And are cleared for use in healthcare as medical devices.
• Unlike other mass-produced mask products, Halyard’s products are manufactured right here in the United States. Creating the best protection with a home field advantage.
• With a variety of sizes to choose from, and a malleable nose wire, comfort is of the same level as your protection.
• The inside of the mask is also double the size of other N95 masks, exceeding the 100% standards for breathability in masks.

With this unique entry into Halyard’s lineup of masks, they’re certainly off to a strong start. There are times, though, when you don’t always need something that powerful…what about something that caters to a more general need?

Halyard’s Level 1 and Level 3 Procedure Masks

If you don’t need an N95 respirator, then Halyard has you covered too. Their wide selection of PPE extends to general needs too. And you don’t need to look any further than their Fluidshield Level 1 and Level 3 Procedure masks. And just like the N95 Fluidshield, the Level 1 and Level 3 masks also have an interesting system. They both can sport Fluidshield technology, but the levels are what sets them apart. Now, there might be a part of you that thinks, ” If the higher level means better, then the lower levels aren’t worth my time, right?”

Consider the following: if the lower levels aren’t nearly as good, why are they still selling them when the higher levels are just as widely available? That’s because the level system isn’t a deterrent, it’s a guide. The difference lies in the protection that you get from each one. Each level of mask is meant for a different situation in the environment that you’re going to be using them. And a higher grade mask guarantees higher protection. For example:

• Level One: Low barrier protection. Only for general use, not used for aerosols, spray or fluids.
• Level Two: Moderate barrier protection. Use for low to moderate levels of aerosols, spray and/or fluids.
• Level Three: Maximum barrier protection. Use for high risk of fluid, spray and/or fluids.

And we carry Halyard’s Level 1 and Level 3 Procedure masks, so depending on what kind of environment you deal with, you can make the right choice for your needs!

Level 1 Procedure Masks

Level 1 masks are used for places that are known to not be as infectious as others, and cost less than higher levels. They provide easier breathing and are more suited for everyday needs. These masks are meant to be more publicly available than masks made for medical facilities. However, level 1 masks are not quite as protective as higher levels. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider them. And these Halyard masks have variants built with their Fluidshield barrier. Which is a multi-layered filter system in the front of the mask that also protects against high-pressure fluids. So these are great for areas that might not be as high risk as others, with a ton of protection.

There’s two different kinds of level 1 masks here. There’s the Level 1 Procedure Yellow mask, and the Level 1 Procedure Yellow mask with Fluidshield. 

The Level 1 mask is the standard in low-maintenance areas. With the Halyard protection guaranteed for even the general environment. It has a pale-yellow exterior, and does NOT have the Fluidshield barrier that it’s other variant has. But when mixing comfort and protection, it still does it’s job well. They provide the standard earloop design to maximize comfort and secure it properly to you. And they also meet the ASTM F2100 Level 1 standards.

So if you want the Level 1 Procedure Yellow Masks, they’re available here on our site.

The Level 1 Procedure Yellow Masks with Halyard’s Fluidshield technology have all the same traits as the standard masks. But they sport added benefits to layer onto the already quality design. For even more comfort and breathability options, these Fluishield variants sport benefits like:

• Meets ASTM F2100-11 Level 1 standards 
• Inner layer featuring SO SOFT* bicomponent fabric technology
• Breathable and designed to keep you comfortable 
• Ear loops

So if you want the Level 1 Procedure Yellow FLUIDSHIELD Masks, they’re available here on our site.

Level 3 Procedure Masks

The difference between these and the level 1 masks are obviously the increaed protection. But unlike the level 1 masks, the difference in the level 3 masks is the inner lining. There are two versions of the level 3. There’s the Level 3 Fog-Free Fluidshield Orange Procedure Masks that can be available with Halyard’s patented SO SOFT lining, and there are the others which come with it standard right out of the factory. Both share the same great benefits such as:

• Meets ASTM F2100-11 Level 3 standards
• Pleat style with ear loops 
• Inner layer featuring SO SOFT* bicomponent fabric technology
• Constructed with a patented combination of materials to resist fluid penetration upon impact
• Breathable film

So if you want the Level 3 Fog-Free Fluidshield Orange Procedure Masks, you can find them on our website here.

Halyard Purple Nitrile Gloves

If it’s gloves you want, they’ve got them in spades. Halyard’s tried and true Purple Nitrile Gloves offer a general option able to tackle a wide variety of challenges. With the power of nitrile, you’re already getting the best defense possible. In a form-fitting glove that fits to you through body heat for a secure, yet comfortable feel. Add an AQL of 1.0 to that, and these gloves are practically guaranteed to solve all of your problems. And all it takes is one pull from their SmartPull packaging to ensure you get the right amount of gloves every time. No worries about wasting the gloves or your money.

Some of the other great benefits of this glove are:

1. Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Gloves  are waterproof. They’re recommended for damp work environments, and you can even wear them under your regular work gloves to prevent permeation.
2. Nitrile is 3-4 times more puncture-resistant than latex
3. They’ve been tested against 29 chemotherapy drugs per the ASTM D6978-05.
4. Nitrile has also been proven as one of the longest lasting materials for shelf life. Under the right and proper conditions, your nitrile gloves can have a shelf life of possibly 5-10 years.
5. They have an AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) of 1.0 for critical defects. Meets or exceeds ASTM D6319 – Standard Specification for Nitrile Examination Glove for Medical Applications
6. Meets or exceeds biocompatible 10993 studies for systemic toxicity, irritation and sensitization endpoints
7. Passes Viral Penetration Testing – ASTM F1671 – 07 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System

You can find Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves on our site here.

Halyard Sterile Purple Nitrile Gloves

If it’s a sterile glove you’re looking for, the Sterile Purple Nitrile Gloves are exactly what you need. When considering the cost of medical equipment, it’s tempting to seek the lowest price. However, while cheaper alternatives like latex or vinyl gloves might exist, they often fall short in terms of quality and protection, limiting their use in demanding medical scenarios. Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Sterile Exam Gloves offer a compelling combination of value and performance, providing superior protection and versatility at a competitive price point.

• Versatility: Halyard Purple Nitrile Sterile Gloves are highly versatile, with their nitrile construction providing several key advantages, including being waterproof and recommended for low to medium exposure to chemicals and liquids (even wearable as an underglove to prevent permeation), significantly greater puncture resistance than latex, compatibility with common workplace chemicals, and an extended shelf life of potentially 5-10 years when stored correctly.

• Quality Assurance: Halyard Purple Nitrile Sterile Gloves meet or exceed stringent industry standards, minimizing the risk of defects, with a low AQL of 1.0 for critical defects (surpassing the ASTM 2.5 AQL requirement), compliance with or exceeding ASTM D6319, meeting or exceeding biocompatibility 10993 studies, and passing Viral Penetration Testing – ASTM F1671 – 07.

• Sizes: Halyard Purple Nitrile Sterile Gloves are available in a range of sizes (9.5-inch length, small, medium, and large, with bulk case options for each size) to fit the needs of your entire team.

• Comfort: Halyard Purple Nitrile Sterile Gloves provide a comfortable fit with their form-fitting design that adapts to the wearer’s hand with body heat, acrylonitrile butadiene material that minimizes irritation and eliminates Type-1 allergic reactions, and powder-free design for frictionless and irritation-free donning and doffing.

• Packaging: Halyard Purple Nitrile Sterile Exam Gloves are packaged for sterility, with gloves packaged in pairs within the box (prioritizing sterility over the SmartPULL feature found in non-sterile Halyard gloves).

You can find Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Sterile Exam Gloves on our site here.

Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves

When considering hand protection, it’s important to choose gloves that offer the right balance of cost and quality. While latex and vinyl gloves are common for general purposes, they often lack the durability and protection required for more demanding medical applications. Halyard’s Black-Fire Nitrile gloves address this need, providing a high-quality, versatile option suitable for a wide range of uses. And with them being one of their special selections, the Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves have a unique feature to call their own.

• Versatility: Halyard’s Black-Fire Nitrile gloves are remarkably versatile due to their nitrile construction, offering several key benefits, including waterproofing and suitability for low to high exposure to chemicals and liquids (even serving as an underglove), significantly greater puncture resistance than latex, an extended shelf life of 5-10 years with proper storage, and the innovative Quick Check technology which allows for breach detection via a high-visibility orange inner layer that is revealed when the glove is torn or during removal, reducing cross-contamination risks.

• Quality Assurance: Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves adhere to high quality standards, with an AQL of 1.0 for critical defects (exceeding ASTM’s 2.5 AQL requirement), adherence to or exceeding ASTM D6319, meeting or exceeding biocompatibility 10993 studies, and passing Viral Penetration Testing – ASTM F1671 – 07.

• Sizes: Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves are available in small (S), medium (M), large (L), and extra-large (XL) sizes, all 9.5 inches in length, with bulk case options available.

• Comfort: Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves offer a comfortable fit, molding to the hand with body heat, made from acrylonitrile butadiene to prevent irritation and Type-1 allergic reactions, powder-free for easy donning and doffing, and featuring a reversible design with the Quick Check orange layer also usable for high-visibility situations.

• SmartPULL Packaging: Halyard’s SmartPULL packaging minimizes glove waste with two numbered opening tabs, allowing users to access only the necessary gloves initially and then easily access the remaining gloves as the box empties.

You can find Halyard’s Black-Fire Nitrile Exam Gloves on our site here.

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Final Thoughts

With all of the news of these various viruses plaguing the nation, it can be overwhelming. There are many resources available of some steps to take to stop the spread, but sometimes you want more options. And here at SAS, “solutions” is in the name. So in this overwhelming atmosphere that may feel hopeless at times, we make it our mission to provide all the help we can. We offer various different products and resources to help you combat the spread beyond handwashing and surface disinfecting.

From combating airborne pathogens with OSO Pure’s advanced air purification systems to providing essential personal protective equipment like Halyard’s high-quality masks and gloves, we equip you with the tools to safeguard yourself and your environment. By utilizing these solutions, you can enhance your protection against this “perfect storm” and contribute to a safer and healthier environment for yourself and those around you.

So if you have any questions about OSO Pure, Halyard, infection control or anything else, please give us a call at 704-966-1650, Option 3 for our Free Tech Support line. We also have our own resource programs available to anyone for free using the links below.

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As always if you have any questions about this process or anything else please feel free to contact us and take advantage of our “FREE TECH SUPPORT.”

We also offer FREE VIRTUAL TECH SUPPORT to “See and Talk” with a “Real Time Live Technician” for any problems you may be in need of help with.

You can also use our “FREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM”. Take the guesswork and worrying about what unit is due for maintenance and which maintenance cycle it is time for. We will keep track of all your autoclaves and let you know when it’s time for anything.