In August 2019, we randomly swabbed the internal aspect of the face hole of five therapy beds from five different private clinics across Australia for analysis.
Four out of five of these beds were using a terry towelling cover, as well as the current x-cut and round-cut paper-based head sheets (brand unknown) as standard practice.
The fifth clinic was not using any bed cover but was using a paper towel as the barrier between the client and the bed around the face hole.
The findings were as follows:
As a consumer’s mucosal surfaces (eyes, nose and mouth) can be exposed to this bacteria when lying face down on a therapy bed, their susceptibility to cross infection and illness increases without suitable infection control and prevention practices.
🡠 Back to Market Research View Scientific Testing 🡢Ensuring top-notch hygiene in therapy and allied health settings is vital for client safety. Shared equipment can easily lead to cross-contamination without strict hygiene protocols. Towels, frequently used in these environments, can harbour bacteria even after washing, posing risks to both clients and therapists. This guide will help you understand these risks, avoid common mistakes and implement the best hygiene practices, all while being environmentally conscious.