Sector solutions

Infection prevention in medical practice

Medical practices

Effective hygiene management in medical practices

According to medical statistics, there are approximately one billion doctor-patient contacts per year in medical practices, regardless of COVID-19, and each contact carries the risk of transmitting pathogens and causing infections. This clearly shows that in medical practices, consistent hygiene management to protect against infection is essential as a measure of occupational health and safety. 

Practice management is responsible for ensuring that infection control measures are in place in the practice. However, staff also play a key role in infection prevention. They perform important hygiene management tasks, such as disinfection.

To ensure that hygiene tasks can be carried out perfectly, Dr. Schumacher GmbH offers a range of products specifically designed to meet the requirements of disinfection and cleaning in medical practices. The range includes effective, compatible and easy-to-use product solutions.

Dr Schumacher's products are subject to rigorous quality testing and have been used successfully in the healthcare sector for over 40 years. As a result, practices are confidently positioned for both routine hygiene and special challenges such as outbreaks.

Hygiene for doctors, staff and patients

According to the Robert Koch Institute, hygienic hand disinfection is the single most important infection prevention measure. Hand sanitization inactivates pathogens and is well tolerated by the skin. In order for hand sanitization to provide reliable protection, it must be done at the right time. In addition, the hand sanitizer should be adapted to the risk situation and applied using the correct method. Hands must be kept moist for at least 30 seconds. Hand disinfection before aseptic activities is also particularly important in medical practices.

Dispensers ensure hygienic removal and correct dosage of hand sanitizers. When placed correctly, dispensers also increase the willingness to disinfect hands, improving not only hygiene, but also the safety of patients and staff in the practice. Hygienic hand disinfection provides reliable protection against the transmission of pathogens in medical facilities. It helps prevent the development of nosocomial infections. The RKI describes hygienic hand disinfection as the most effective single infection prevention measure in healthcare facilities.

Effect spectra of disinfectants

The specified spectrum of activity of a disinfectant indicates the groups of pathogens against which the disinfectant is effective and can be used. Different spectra of activity are required depending on the application and risk assessment. The efficacy of disinfectants is tested nationally and internationally in independent tests using standardised test methods. For example, a "limited virucidal" disinfectant is effective against enveloped viruses such as influenza viruses or SARS-CoV-2. One example of a limited virucidal agent is our alcohol-based DESCODERM hand disinfectant, which is suitable for both hygienic and surgical hand disinfection. Disinfectants should be used which have been tested and recognised in practice and whose efficacy is documented by lists. The disinfectant lists of the Association for Applied Hygiene (VAH), the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Industrial Association for Hygiene and Surface Protection (IHO) are particularly relevant.

Important in hygiene: skin protection and skin care

Skin irritation caused by disinfection is not only a threat to the health and professional ability of people in medical practices. They also pose a risk of infection. Even the smallest cracks in the skin provide potential niches for pathogens. The burning sensation of irritated skin can in turn reduce the willingness to disinfect hands. To prevent this and to keep the skin healthy, hands need regular care. Skin creams with high-quality ingredients moisturise, nourish and help the skin to regenerate, thus also supporting occupational safety.

SURFACE DISINFECTION

Efficiently implement infection prevention

Pathogens can remain infectious on surfaces for up to several months. For example, noroviruses can survive on surfaces for up to 7 days, staphylococci including multi-resistant pathogens such as MRSA for up to 7 months, and pseudomonads for up to 16 months. To protect against infection, it is critical to inactivate these pathogens on surfaces. For this purpose, surfaces must be disinfected as a hygiene measure with a disinfectant that is adapted to the risk situation. In addition to the required spectrum of activity, criteria such as material compatibility, contact time, odor, user comfort and application method must also be taken into account when selecting a product.

Disinfectant Wipes - Simplify Workflows

Surface disinfection is one of the many tasks performed by medical staff in a healthcare setting. With a high workload and daily time pressures, it is important that the necessary disinfection work can be carried out easily and safely. The tool of choice for this task: ready-to-use disinfection wipes. The wipes are easy to handle and efficient to use. Pre-soaked wipes are easy to use and safe to apply, helping to simplify work processes and reduce staff workload. Technical and digital medical equipment is also often contaminated with pathogens. To prevent the further spread of pathogens, the sensitive surfaces of these devices must be disinfected.

Medical device reprocessing

Medical device reprocessingIn the medical field, medical devices can become contaminated with pathogens and cause infections in patients and staff. To protect against infection, medical devices must be carefully reprocessed before reuse. Before determining how medical devices should be reprocessed, a risk assessment and classification of the medical devices must be performed. Non-critical medical devices must be reprocessed with limited virucidal products, semi-critical medical devices must be reprocessed with virucidal products or optionally sterilized, and critical medical devices must be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized.

Hygienic safety in the medical sector

With effective products, gentle formulations and customized services, we help physicians and medical practices keep their patients and staff healthy and protected from infection and contamination.

For decades, we have maintained a nationwide network of specialized distributors dedicated to supporting medical practices. This ensures that every medical practice can find a competent and experienced dealer in its area. The up-to-date knowledge of our distributors is regularly ensured by the support and training of our specially trained sales representatives as well as by our nationwide training programs.

In addition to innovative products for reliable cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, instruments, skin and hands, we also offer holistic hygiene concepts for medical practices. Our services range from comprehensive expert advice, practice inspections and training to the creation of facility specific hygiene and disinfection plans.