The Right Thing

I have spent the last twelve years planning and learning how to make the world a safer place to breathe. When the COVID 19 pandemic came in 2022 I realized it was time for action. During 18months of working with Dr. Deal and CLEAN 254 (a thinktank made up of a multispecialty group of doctors, infection control specialists, a microbiologist, physicist, architect, and an engineer), we became experts on aqueous ozone, germicidal ultraviolet light in 180nm to 400nm frequencies, air flow and human behavior.

In 2023 Dr. Deal and I developed the first iteration of Optuvus, a tall sentinel that stood guard over the Roper COVID Infusion Center on the 5th floor of the hospital breathing out clean air after taking in air teaming with the dreaded virus.  I expect this simple measure added a level of protection to the dedicated staff and certainly aided in preventing the spread of the virus throughout the hospital. This device was patented and is in the final stages of development along with other new innovations to help make the world a safer place to breathe.

Admitting I have a passion for health and having sworn an oath to do no harm, I take patient care seriously. My experience on the RSFH Quality and Safety Committee and St. Francis Hospital Board has brought the obvious needs we have in healthcare close to my heart.

Having leaned many lessons about caring for patients (who are our friends, and neighbors and family), about the importance of understanding the role of airborne pathogens, fomites and droplet nuclei and the necessity to provide healthcare without contributing harm, antibiotic resistance, nosocomial infections or misinformation, I want to share first with my community what I have learned.

It wasn’t until 2023 that the WHO admitted COVID was an airborne disease despite generous exclamations from world scientists demonstrating it was. Previously tuberculosis and measles were the only agreed upon airborne diseases. It has become obvious to many of us the nosocomial transmission of infectious diseases goes beyond the surface. Studies show MRSA is detected on the clothes of nurses entering isolation rooms despite appropriate donning of masks, gloves and gowns. Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) can be extracted from the air in patient care areas after non-infected patients who received antibiotics leave the ward increasing the risk of the next hospitalized patient contracting the condition despite proper surface disinfection by EVS members.

As we near 2030 we have a unique opportunity to create a world class hospital where we care for those in need while doing a better job of preventing harm by simply deploying well tested, safe and effective germicidal ultraviolet light in patient care areas. Handwashing, surface disinfection and proper isolation will always be important but decontaminating the air where pathogens are suspended and ride on the currents is simple, surprisingly cost effective and effective beyond expectation.

Since we know these things and since we have the capacity to understand the Hippocratic Oath and while we are being responsible with the lives entrusted to us, we surely must do the right things and now is the time to embrace 2030 and our community.