An inexpensive, disposable EKG lead cover.

­Disposable EKG Lead Covers

The Problem:

The estimated annual incidence of surgical site infections in the United States is estimated to be between 160,000 and 300,000 incidences per year. The costs associated from these infections ranges from $3.5 billion up to $10 billion. One potential cause of surgical site infections is the EKG lead. With rapid surgical procedure turnover times, the ability to completely clean EKG leads can be challenging, if not impossible. Contaminated EKG leads put a patient at risk of contracting a surgical site infection.

The Solution:

Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed an inexpensive, disposable EKG lead cover. Having disposable covers eliminates the need to cleanse the EKG leads after each surgical procedure without putting contaminated EKG leads onto surgical patients. The goal is to provide better patient outcomes and improve hospital results by reducing the number of surgical site infections. 

Benefits: