Healthcare Context

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to rise in medical facilities, despite increasingly stringent disinfection protocols. The emergence of highly virulent pathogens such as Candida auris, capable of transmission via medical devices, represents a significant public health concern.

In this context, it is estimated that nearly 70% of HAIs could be prevented through appropriate preventive measures¹. While High-Level Disinfection (HLD) is now generally well controlled orat least widely recommended, the issue of traceability remains central and insufficiently implemented.

‍

Traceability: A Critical Challenge

Traceability of medical devices, long perceived as an organizational constraint, is now recognized as a key step in infection prevention. Automated traceability is increasingly becoming an international standard. This challenge is further amplified by increasingly stringent hospital safety audits, notably those conducted by organizations such as the Joint Commission in the United States.

‍

Our Technologies Serving Patients and Healthcare Professionals

In this field, Germitec has positioned itself as a pioneering player. The company approaches traceability as a structured procedure based on the automatic association of three fundamental elements: the patient, the probe, and the disinfection cycle. This framework is complemented by operator identification and secure digital data archiving.

This approach aims to ensure complete, reliable, and readily accessible traceability at any time.

Germitec places safety at the core of its mission. Through its patented technologies, the company helps elevate disinfection standards while reducing the operational burden on healthcare professionals.

‍

A New Approach Developed by Germitec

Germitec’s technology is based on several differentiating features.

• Probes are equipped with magnetic or screw-on rings, ensuring simple, rapid,and reliable identification.
• A second level of security relies on in-situ probe detection within the device, enabled by these rings and a dedicated sensor system. This feature prevents the initiation of a cycle if a properly identified probe is not present.

At the end of each cycle, data are automatically recorded in the embedded Germitrac software. This system enables rapid visualization and extraction of information. Its intuitive use reduces errors and allows direct integration of data into the patient record.

‍

Seamless Integration into Clinical Workflow

The integration of traceability into clinical practice is facilitated by these innovations:

• ‍Identification rings reduce handling. ‍
• Automatic probe recognition ensures cycle compliance. ‍
• Computerized and automated traceability significantly reduces the workload for healthcare teams, streamlining clinical workflows.

The use of the Chronos^®* system is based on a three-step sequence: 1° probe loading, 2° disinfection cycle, and 3° automatic traceability recording.

The result: fewer manipulations, fewer errors, and significant time savings for healthcare teams.

Beyond time savings, these technologies contribute to a tangible improvement in quality of care and user comfort for professionals.

‍

Toward Flexible Traceability

Finally, at Germitec, traceability is designed to adapt to the specific needs of healthcare facilities. It can be provided in digital format or supplemented with printed records via an integrated printer particularly on the Chronos^® Max** or offered as an option on other models.

Operator identification can also be easily added, including directly on the Chronos^® Max.

In a context where quality and patient safety requirements continue to increase, optimizing traceability procedures is becoming an essential lever for improvement.

Germitec teams remain available to support healthcare facilities wishing to evolve their practices.

‍

Sources :

¹ Santé Public France

*Chronos^® is indicated for use in a healthcare environment to achieve High-Level Disinfection, in about 90 seconds, of surfaces of external, transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound probes that do not contain lumens and that do not contain indentations or channels that are deeper than their widths

** Chronos^® Max is indicated for use in a healthcare environment to achieve High  High-Level Disinfection including sporicidal action of transesophageal & endo-cavity ultrasound probes and ENT scopes without operator channel by UV-C as alternative to chemistry.

Note: according to Spaulding classification, the Chronos^® Max device is intended to disinfect semi-critical transducers (in contact with non-intact skin, mucous membranes, blood contact). 

Medical device available in Europe, Canada and Oceania, not available in the US.