Fogging machine to sanitize ambulances
It could help limit spread of swine flu
By Kristina Davis
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. August 13, 2009
SAN DIEGO ? With a more intense wave of swine flu expected to hit this fall, San Diego's ambulance provider this month has begun sanitizing its rigs with a new fogging machine to prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining a foothold in the vehicles.
The machine, which was purchased by San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, sprays a nontoxic ?dry mist? disinfectant into the sealed-up ambulance and destroys harmful particles that cling to surfaces, fabric, and electrical equipment and hard-to-reach crevices.
Near the end of the 10- to 15-minute cycle, the vehicle's engine is turned on, and the fog is circulated through the ambulance's air ducts.
San Diego Medical Services Enterprise plans to use the $40,000 device, made by Florida-based Zimek Technologies, on each of its 80 ambulances every month, or more often when needed. Employees will continue to use disinfecting wipes on the ambulances several times each day as well.
Company officials had considered buying the device for years but decided to do so this year due to the outbreak of swine flu, scientifically known as H1N1 influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has attributed more than 430 deaths in the United States to swine flu, including 16 in San Diego County.
?We thought this is going to be a really serious threat, not only to our employees but to our patients, who more than likely have compromised immune systems and are therefore more susceptible to viruses in the crevices of a gurney,? said Reema Makani, spokeswoman for the ambulance provider.
San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, which employs about 400 paramedics and emergency medical technicians, last month renewed a five-year contract with the city of San Diego.
The terms of the contract have not been finalized and are expected to be negotiated in September, Makani said. No other ambulance providers submitted proposals for the contract, she said.
The company has provided service to the city since 1997, when national ambulance provider Rural/Metro formed a partnership with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The new contract is expected to generate an estimated $32 million in emergency ambulance services, with half the profit going to the company and half to the department, the company said.
The company also provides ambulance service to Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe.
Union-Tribune
It could help limit spread of swine flu
By Kristina Davis
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. August 13, 2009
SAN DIEGO ? With a more intense wave of swine flu expected to hit this fall, San Diego's ambulance provider this month has begun sanitizing its rigs with a new fogging machine to prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining a foothold in the vehicles.
The machine, which was purchased by San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, sprays a nontoxic ?dry mist? disinfectant into the sealed-up ambulance and destroys harmful particles that cling to surfaces, fabric, and electrical equipment and hard-to-reach crevices.
Near the end of the 10- to 15-minute cycle, the vehicle's engine is turned on, and the fog is circulated through the ambulance's air ducts.
San Diego Medical Services Enterprise plans to use the $40,000 device, made by Florida-based Zimek Technologies, on each of its 80 ambulances every month, or more often when needed. Employees will continue to use disinfecting wipes on the ambulances several times each day as well.
Company officials had considered buying the device for years but decided to do so this year due to the outbreak of swine flu, scientifically known as H1N1 influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has attributed more than 430 deaths in the United States to swine flu, including 16 in San Diego County.
?We thought this is going to be a really serious threat, not only to our employees but to our patients, who more than likely have compromised immune systems and are therefore more susceptible to viruses in the crevices of a gurney,? said Reema Makani, spokeswoman for the ambulance provider.
San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, which employs about 400 paramedics and emergency medical technicians, last month renewed a five-year contract with the city of San Diego.
The terms of the contract have not been finalized and are expected to be negotiated in September, Makani said. No other ambulance providers submitted proposals for the contract, she said.
The company has provided service to the city since 1997, when national ambulance provider Rural/Metro formed a partnership with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The new contract is expected to generate an estimated $32 million in emergency ambulance services, with half the profit going to the company and half to the department, the company said.
The company also provides ambulance service to Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe.
Union-Tribune