The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) announces the nominees for its Innovation Award which celebrates innovation in environmental services, infection prevention and safety, and recognizes the new solutions that are responding to and helping to advance the strategic goals of providers and operators in the field. The companies submitted leading-edge innovations and the finalists listed below were selected based on product, process and innovation. All applicants will be showcased and the winner will be announced at the annual AHE EXCHANGE on Sept. 21, 2015 at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center. The nominees are: SCA AFH Professional Hygiene: Tork EasyCube™ Intelligent Restroom System Tork EasyCube™ offers real-time restroom traffic and product usage data with 24/7 visibility. This allows EVS directors to dispatch service before problems arise – ultimately helping reduce the number of restroom complaints and increase overall satisfaction with patients, visitors, and employees. Aramark Uniform Services: MicroVantage MicroVantage four-step process (Sanitize, Separate, Substitute, Swab) helps preserve the effectiveness of reusable microfiber while providing actionable results to improve environmental hygiene. It empowers EVS to clean efficiently and Infection Preventionists to validate protocols. Calderon Textiles, LLC: The LOOPower™ Cleaning Towel The LOOPower™ Cleaning Towel is the first reusable towel to solve the sanitizer depletion problem. Unlike traditional cotton and microfiber towels, the LOOPower Cleaning Towel maintains the efficacy of sanitizing solutions as it soaks. It therefore delivers a fully potent solution to the surface being cleaned. Clorox Professional Products Company: Clorox Healthcare™ Optimum-UV™ System The Clorox Healthcare™ Optimum-UV™ System is an all-in-one solution, providing powerful surface treatment enhanced by ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) technology to inactivate dangerous and persistent pathogens, including C. difficile and MRSA for optimum prevention. Curtain Care Plus: The Hand Shield(R) The Hand Shield product line is a patented solution offered by Curtain Care Plus. It is intended for use in healthcare environments where routine disinfecton of privacy curtains is a challenge. Hygiene Solutions, LLC: The Handle Hygiene Door Handle Sanitizing System The Handle Hygiene System is an automatic door handle sanitizing system. Using no power or batteries, it delivers a mist of non-alcohol based sanitizer to the handle, each time the door is closed. HSP USA, LLC: Clean2O Clean2O system generates (Hsp2O), non-bleach one-step disinfectant cleaner for daily use in healthcare settings. It simplifies environmental service operations (multipurpose) and delivers fast broad spectrum efficacy with excellent material compatibility, safety, tolerability and efficiency. Hygiena: SystemSURE Plus ATP Cleaning Verification System The Hygiena SystemSURE Plus ATP Cleaning Verification System is a 3-component system used for the monitoring, verification, and improvement of environmental cleanliness in hospitals and healthcare environments in an effort to prevent environmentally transmissible infections. Daniels Healthcare: Daniels Reusable Sharps Container Daniels' reusable sharps container is best characterized as an environmentally friendly, cost reducing safety device, and is the only sharps container ever to have published clinical studies proving a dramatic reduction in needle sticks through everyday use in hospital systems. ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Services: Comfort Care™ Patient Gowns To improve the patient experience and satisfaction, we introduced our Comfort Care™ line of patient gowns, made of a unique lightweight, breathable fabric yet warm, durable and absorbent with generous cut for full coverage. We measured patients' perceptions of the facility and saw a greater than 50 percent improvement when the facility switched to these new, premium patient gowns. Sealed Air Diversey Care: SwingoBot 1650 (formerly HydroBot) These hands-free, robotic floor scrubbers are programmed to maneuver the halls of a hospital, and limit the spread of infection from floors, making the environment safer for patients and staff. They enable environmental services staff to spend valuable time in detailing and other areas, improving overall productivity. Infection Prevention Technologies: IRiS™ Family of Intelligent UVC Disinfection Robots The IRiS™ 3200 is an intelligent mobile UV-C robot designed to disinfect all surfaces including direct, indirect and shadowed, in healthcare and other facilities. It is designed to provide single placement, automated, whole-room treatments. Karcher North America: PS 4/7 Bp mister and Vital Oxide A combination of an application device with an EPA registered hospital grade disinfectant that makes the physical job of disinfecting easier and more reliable. Specifically designed for healthcare. MedTrainer: MedTrainer Compliance Training We provide medical organizations with a solution for tracking training, policy updates, and sds sheets electronically. MIP Inc.: Fusion underpad Through a patented process, all Fusion pad layers are laminated together leaving its surface smooth and unquilted. This allows for even shrinkage and no wrinkling at surface, delivering superior skin care. P&G Professional: Tytro Pro™ Tytro Pro™ is an intuitive, modular chemical proportioning system that's customizable for any liquid P&G Professional™ concentrate. Featuring AccuPro™ technology, it delivers 98-99% dosing accuracy – improving cleaning performance, cost savings and employee safety. Surface Medical Inc.: CleanPatch - Medical Surface Repair Technology CleanPatch® is the first FDA registered medical repair patch for damaged patient mattresses. Restoring surfaces to an intact and hygienic state reduces the risk of cross contamination and offers significant savings compared to premature replacement. Source: AHE
