Events Calendar

Packaging Engineering Considerations for the Control of Static Electricity in a Hospital Environment

HealthPack 2010
http://www.innovativetechnologyconferences.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3282

Date: 3 March 2010
Time: 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Packaging engineering considerations for the control of static electricity in a hospital environment
Thomas M. Reilly, M.D. Sherman Oaks Hospital - Grossman Burn Center
Bob Vermillion, CPP/Fellow, RMV Technology Group, LLC

Abstract:

At HealthPack 2009, two of the three Nursing Panel members discussed issues with static electricity packaging issues in a hospital environment. Several major hospitals have formed Risk Assessment teams under Hospital Safety Operations to investigate methods to mitigate problems.  Dr. Reilly will discuss how static electricity issues from packaging can pose presentation problems for medical devices and “sticking” issues that can slow down patient care where delays can prove costly.

The modern day operating room utilizes advanced level microprocessor driven devices sensitive to static electricity which can cause lock ups, computer error messages and monitor fluctuations. In addition, contamination mitigation in a sterile environment is important in preventing further complications which relate to charge generators such as thermoformed materials. At low relative humidity, adhesive backed closures can facilitate particle attraction posing issues in maintaining a high level of cleanliness in an operating room environment.

In an interactive format, the presentation will review various packaging schemes employed in an Emergency and Trauma Theater Operating Room environment benchmarking packaging performance with the utilization of advanced instrumentation to measure charge generation, electrostatic discharge, electrostatic decay and surface resistance measurements.  Vacuum formed products can charge upwards to 20,000 volts which can pose issues during the presentation of medical devices. Opening a package in a sterile environment can charge to 12,000 volts at 35%RH. In addition, the paper will outline considerations that incorporate the use of humidity independent materials for developing hospital worthy packaging for use in an operating room environment. A formalized electrostatic discharge control materials qualification sequence is necessary to properly validate static control packaging to insure compliance and to prevent suspect counterfeit products from entering the supply chain.