ActivePure’s Deborah Birx, M.D. Scheduled to Address APIC Conference for Infection Control and Epidemiology Professionals

DALLAS (June 23, 2023) – On the heels of four major infection prevention and control studies, ActivePure, an infection prevention technology company that provides continuous, whole-department disinfection solutions, today announced ActivePure Medical’s participation in the APIC 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology). ActivePure’s Chief Medical and Science Advisor, Deborah Birx, M.D. and Chief Commercial Officer, Amy Carenza, will present Engineering Out the Human Factor: Using Technology to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Labor Demand in the Environment of Care on Monday, June 26, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM in the Regency Ballroom O-Q at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.

The healthcare industry is currently grappling with an unprecedented challenge in its labor pool. Shortages in personnel, high turnover rates and escalating labor costs have collectively contributed to a concerning rise in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) not seen since 2015. Recognized experts in the field emphasize the need for technological advancements and interventions to achieve a state of continuous and proactive environmental disinfection within healthcare settings that do not require additional labor. ActivePure’s discussion aims to address the existing gaps in current practices and explore how 21st- century technology can mitigate human factors’ impact. By examining relevant literature and thought leadership, Birx will delve into the various technologies employed for supplemental disinfection and equip attendees with the necessary information to evaluate practical and efficient solutions for enhancing the environment of care.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the existing gaps in episodic cleaning and disinfection practices.
• Identify 21st-century technological solutions that can address and bridge these gaps.
• Demonstrate the correlation between improved outcomes and a compelling Return on Investment (ROI).
• Articulate the limitations of episodic interventions in effectively reducing HAIs.

ActivePure has recently released the findings of four notable studies in the field of infectious diseases.

• New study results show the total elimination of HO-MRSA and a 98% decrease in MRSA surface burden during the trial period. Reduction of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Surface Microbial Burden and Related Healthcare-Associated Infections with the Implementation of an Advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation Technology in a Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit as seen in ID Week. This study highlights the efficacy of ActivePure’s novel advanced photocatalytic oxidation (aPCO) technology at reducing the microbial burden and healthcare-onset Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HO-MRSA) infections in a medical- surgical intensive care unit (ICU) despite no change in clinical practice. The poster was presented at IDWeek 2022 on October 19-23, 2022, and published in IDWeek on December 15, 2022.
• 98.4% statistically significant decrease in microbial surface burden and a 100% decrease in bacterial air counts. Reduction of Surface Microbial Burden in an Operative Setting with the Implementation of Advanced Photocatalysis Oxidation Technology. The study showed a 98.4% statistically significant decrease in microbial surface burden and a 100% decrease in bacterial air counts. The study proved ActivePure’s efficacy in reducing the surface burden and air quality and its impact in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The prospective quasi- experimental study was conducted from March 2022 to August 2022 at Tufts Medicine: Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA. The poster was presented at the AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) Global Surgical Conference and Expo on April 1-4.
• 99.6% statistically significant decrease in floor environmental microbial burden using ActivePure. Exploring the Relationship Between the Reduction of Floor Microbial Burden and its’ Impact on Healthcare-Associated Infections with the Implementation of an Advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation Technology. The advanced photocatalytic oxidation technology reduced microbial burden on the floors of a high-traffic intensive care unit. Statistically significant decreases in hospital- onset C. difficile infections, hospital-onset MRSA bacteremias, and CLABSIs were also seen. Despite no change in practice, this study highlights a novel aPCO technology and its efficacy in reducing the microbial burden and healthcare-associated infections. The poster was presented at the SHEA (The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) Spring Conference on April 11-14.
• ActivePure Technology Found to Stop the Deadly Candida Auris. In May, ActivePure announced results from specific testing on the drug-resistant strain of the fungus Candida auris (C. auris). ActivePure has repeatedly demonstrated in laboratory and real-world settings that it unilaterally and sustainably eliminates fungal species in air and on surfaces; this focused testing on C. auris by a third-party unaffiliated lab has demonstrated a 99.99% reduction rate within 48 hours on surfaces. Candida auris is a fungus that has been spreading rapidly in healthcare facilities in the United States.

The three-day in-person conference, #APIC2023, offers a comprehensive agenda covering various topics for infection preventionists. It encompasses fundamental knowledge to enhance patient safety within healthcare facilities and strategic insights for advanced practitioners. For more information on ActivePure, please visit ActivePure.com, or call 888-217-4316. 

Original story on Businesswire.