Tork Survey: Healthcare Professionals See Technology as Infection Control Tool

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Sep 18, 2018, 06:00 ET

Healthcare staff say introducing technology to their facility has improved hygiene compliance

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Tork, an Essity brand, today released a study that demonstrates a correlation between technology adoption and hygiene compliance in the eyes of Healthcare workers. According to the results, healthcare professionals believe introducing new technology such as hand hygiene monitoring systems, can play an important role in hygiene compliance and infection control across Healthcare facilities.

The survey revealed that 95 percent of Healthcare staff consider it important for facilities to use the most up-to-date technology to mitigate infection, and 68 percent of workers acknowledged that introducing technology to their facilities has helped improve hygiene compliance. However, despite these sentiments, 40 percent of these respondents do not see their facility making a conscious effort to introduce new technology to address hygiene compliance and cleaning protocol.

Why? The most common barriers healthcare staff see to introducing new technology are a lack of financial resources (35%) and a lack of training & education (32%).

These barriers, however, may pale in comparison to the nuanced needs of today's Healthcare facilities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hand hygiene remains the single most important strategy in mitigating the spread of health care-associated infections in healthcare facilities. Staff are increasingly looking to modern technology as a way to advance operational efficiencies and address hygiene compliance. With the majority of workers acknowledging the positive effects technology has when it comes to hygiene compliance, it appears that now is the time for healthcare professionals to treat technology with the utmost importance.

Connected devices like the Tork EasyCube® Facility Management System for data-driven cleaning utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology to provide real-time, actionable data from people counters and connected dispensers to keep facility managers and cleaners informed about cleaning status and provide insights into usage and traffic trends. On average, Tork EasyCube reduces cleaning rounds by 24% and cleaning hours by 20%, and yields a 30% increase in customer satisfaction.ⁱ Simple, innovative technology solutions like Tork EasyCube help managers clean more efficiently, enabling facilities to exercise greater control over their environment.

"Healthcare workers carry a great amount of responsibility, protecting the health of patients on a daily basis," said Tom Bergin, Marketing Director for Essity Professional Hygiene, North America. "Introducing new technology and modernizing our facilities can play a critical role in supporting their efforts to maintain safe environments and ultimately, deliver an elevated patient experience."

For more information about Tork EasyCube, visit https://www.torkusa.com/

About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, and industrial and kitchen wipers. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 90 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit: www.tork.ca.

About Essity
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company dedicated to improving well-being through our products and solutions, essentials for everyday life. The name Essity stems from the words essentials and necessities. Our sustainable business model creates value for people and nature. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as Jobst, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 48,000 employees and net sales in 2017 amounted to approximately $12.8 billion. The headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at www.essity.com.

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ⁱ Essity, May 2016

SOURCE Essity