Duct tape is being used in hospitals as a tool to check the spread of infectious disease. It’s a simple and economical solution to the problem of conversing with isolated hospital patients with contagious diseases.
The Trinity Medical Center’s infection-prevention team wanted to designate safe zones in which hospital staff could speak to patients with infectious diseases. Hence they used three-foot squares of red duct tape to create the “Red Box” safe zone – the area around an isolated patient.
With the help of duct tape, healthcare workers can speak to the patient without having to wear gowns and gloves, if they stood outside the perimeter.
The concept, known as “Red Box” uses red duct tape, a color that’s employed since it presents a strong visual reminder to people who enter the isolation room to be aware.
The study showed that by making use of this safe zone their hospitals could save time, money in unused gloves & gowns, & the quality & frequency of communication between hospital staff & isolated patients increased.
Duct tape is less expensive than protective gear like gowns & gloves that healthcare workers would normally have to wear to talk to patients.
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