Cliff Yahnke, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist & Head of Clinical Affairs
The recent OR Today webinar “The Use of Visible Light Disinfection to Create a Cleaner and Safer Environment” sponsored by Kenall is eligible for 1 CE credit. OR Today is approved and licensed to be a Continuing Education Provider with the California Board of Registered Nurses, License #16623. Presenter Cliff Yahnke, Ph.D., shared several insights with attendees.
Yahnke joined Kenall in 2013 bringing over 25 years of photonics and health care experience in a range of fields related to defense, telecommunications, radiation oncology, medical imaging, analytical instruments and surgical lighting to Kenall. Widely regarded as an industry expert on visible light disinfection, he has authored numerous articles on it and led numerous studies. Most recently, Yahnke was part of the team whose research into SARS-CoV-2 disinfection using visible light was published in Nature-Scientific Reports.
The presentation addressed how environmental pathogen transmission in the surgical setting is increasingly acknowledged as a significant source of healthcare-acquired infections (HAI), namely surgical site infection. Furthermore, it touched on how dangerous aerosol-generating practices – such as intubation and extubation – are bringing greater awareness of the risk for airborne- and droplet-transmission of the SARS CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
The webinar looked at how whole room disinfection modalities are gaining traction as a tool to reduce pathogen transmission in the operating room and how facilities are weighing the risks and benefits associated with different options for light disinfection. This webinar discussed the pathogenic transmission risks present in the OR, described different types of environmental disinfection practices, and addressed the efficacy as well as the risks associated with different light disinfection modalities, while taking into consideration ease of use to support light disinfection practices.
Yahnke also fielded knowledgeable questions from attendees and provided educated answers packed with insights.
More than 300 people registered for this popular webinar and Carrie Beaty of CB Lighting Design in Kentucky won an OR Today lunch cooler.
The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
“Please keep bringing us such a great learning opportunity!” exclaimed Fayiah Saah, a sterile processing tech with Adventist Healthcare.
Attendees were asked, “Why do you attend OR Today webinars?”
“Staying engaged with the latest OR infection prevention measures,” said Svetlana Connor, Clinical Development Specialist Quality & Research in Surgery, Northside Hospital Forsyth.
“To keep my knowledge updated to the latest tools and steps taken to improve sterile processing and keeping patients safe during their procedures,” said Sue Miller, Sterile Processing Technician, UC Health Medical Center of the Rockies.
“Informative and refreshing education on an array of topics related to patient care and environment care. Also, I can learn about new ideas and products,” Sandra Curatola, PAT/Charge RN, Rochelle Community Hospital.
“Meet continuing education requirements mainly, but also to learn about new things,” said Monty Maynard, Chief EE, GRW.
For more information, visit ORToday.com/upcoming-webinars.
