Improving Patient Safety: The Implications of Internet of Things (IoT) and Wearables on Infection Control Strategies

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that hospitals are responsible for 1.7 million Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) in the U.S. resulting in 99,000 associated deaths , more annually than those who die from car accidents in the United States. Moreover, in Canada 220,000 patients were affected with HAIs resulting in 12,000 deaths. Given the exponential growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the hospital environment, it is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the significance of infectious vectors on wearables and other IoT devices and how they can improve patient safety, without compromising the devices' integrity in the process.

In this critical webinar, Dr. Sean Spina will share his team’s approach to the investigation into the cleaning methods of smartphones and wearables from infectious contamination in a patient care environment (ISWIPE). Daniel Colling from HP will also speak to the challenges for driving policy for infection prevention and control of IT devices and related electromagnetic interference challenges from IoT devices that impact patients and shared patient environments.

Learning points include:

The importance of formalized, structured evaluations of new technologies in healthcare settings
The infectious implications and risks of using smartphones and wearable devices in a healthcare setting
Methods of evaluating multiple vector threats for mitigating contamination and the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
Providing safe electronics around sensitive equipment and high-risk patients

Dr. Sean Spina, RPh, BSc(Pharm), ACPR, PharmD, FCSHP

Coordinator of Clinical Services
Royal Jubilee Hospital

Bio info: Dr. Spina graduated from the University of British Columbia Faculty Of Pharmaceutical Sciences with his BSc in...

Dr. Spina graduated from the University of British Columbia Faculty Of Pharmaceutical Sciences with his BSc in Pharmacy in 2000 and his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2007. He is currently the Coordinator of Clinical Services at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC, Canada. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor with the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the University of Victoria Health Information Sciences Faculty. Since the beginning of his career, Dr. Spina has been interested in incorporating technology into clinical practice. He has authored several published articles on this topic and has received numerous local, provincial, and national awards for his work in formally evaluating the impact technology has on clinical practice and patient care. The Health Employers Association of British Columbia recognized Dr. Spina and his team for their work in 2017 by awarding them the Top Provincial Innovation Award in the “Excellence in BC Health Care” category.

Daniel Colling, BSc, RN

Global Lead, Healthcare Industry Solutions
HP Inc.

Bio info: Daniel Colling, is HP Inc.’s Imaging, Printing and Solutions Global Lead for Healthcare responsible for leading...

Daniel Colling, is HP Inc.’s Imaging, Printing and Solutions Global Lead for Healthcare responsible for leading HP’s healthcare strategy, products, and solutions designed around enabling health systems to achieve their initiatives for improving patient safety, clinical efficiency, and achieving business value from connected care between physicians and patients by streamlining clinical interoperable workflows. HP’s innovation for healthcare is an outcomes-based evidence driven approach from healthcare systems globally that translate into viable solutions for value-based care, population health management, and precision medicine that are specific to the individual needs of the client using HP technology and healthcare solutions.
In his 20 years in healthcare, Daniel has worked within Health Systems in North America and internationally to achieve their initiatives on patient safety, interoperability, 3D print anatomical modelling for surgical planning, clinical workflows and digitization transformation to achieve EMRAM Stage 7 supporting best practices for clinical decision support for the entire care team including the patient. Daniel has presented nationally and internationally as a public policy advocate for the role technology plays in improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of patient care. Daniel holds BSc degrees in Nursing and Information Systems and Architecture from the University of British Columbia, maintains CompTIA Security certification, and actively participates as a member of the CNA-AIIC, ANA, and HIMSS.