“Finally, it has arrived! The super duper doohickey with the detachable thingamajig. Hmmmm … nice box … kind of hard to get open … argh … ahhh … there … box cutter got’er done … oops … directions on the outside of the box say don’t use box cutter …oh well, it’s only a little scratch right there. Hey … it’s not assembled … dang! Guess I gotta get the instructions …  (pause while looking at instructions) … these instructions are too complicated … I can put it together without those silly things.”

And it is very possible that you are mechanically inclined enough to put this piece of equipment together. But what about that scratch that has been unintentionally placed? Unless you read and understand the instructions, you are unaware of the cautions/warnings and other pertinent information that could help avoid damage to yourself, others or the equipment.

User manual’s, technical manuals, work instructions, work documents, protocols, process instructions, policies … whew and wow! So many ways to provide information, but my personal favorite is the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The standard operating procedure is a wonderful tool for controlling work. It defines those subtle details that make the difference between success and failure of the work you are performing. WIKIPEDIA (the on-line encyclopedia) defines the SOP as follows:

A standard operating procedure is a set of instructions having the force of a directive, covering those features of operations that lend themselves to a definite or standardized procedure without loss of effectiveness. Standard Operating Policies and Procedures can be effective catalysts to drive performance improvement and improving organizational results.

An Engineer reads aloud from the “Master” SOP, “Turn the nut clockwise, one revolution using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus.” A worker crouched down over a very expensive and shiny piece of equipment makes eye contact with the engineer and repeats “Turn the nut clockwise one revolution using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus.” The worker using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus then turns the nut clockwise one revolution. He makes eye contact with the engineer and states, “The nut has been turned clockwise one revolution using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus, check.” An Inspector standing next to the worker monitoring his every movement then states, “The nut has been turned clockwise one revolution using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus, check.” The Engineer then states, “The nut has been turned clockwise, one revolution using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus.” A second Inspector that has been standing next to the engineer and monitoring every movement in the building states, “The nut has been turned clockwise one revolution using the encapsulated nut rotating apparatus.” The Engineer and second Inspector then sign that the step has been performed.

Granted, you probably are not going to go to this length in ensuring that the written word is followed verbatim. But, hopefully, prior to starting that very important task you eventually will perform countless times, you read through the SOP relating to the task. Actually, if the work environment allows it, have an authorized copy of the SOP right at your side and follow it word-for-word. And if for some reason the SOP isn’t working for you, stop and revise it to describe clearly the correct procedure to be used in the future.

Scott D. Ferraro, Quality Control Manager

To date, the mechanisms of virus inactivation by microbicides are not well understood. Several modes of inactivation have been studied quite superficially. High temperature treatment is known to induce major changes in quaternary protein structures, resulting in a loss of continuity of the viral capsid icosahedral geometry. Hypochlorite is considered an oxidizing and cross-linking agent that causes viral protein disintegration. Ultraviolet (UV), supposedly, targets a small portion of a protein molecule containing vulnerable amino acids with high photochemical lability to UV.  On the molecular level, the mechanism of inactivation was first studied with representatives of the genus Enterovirus. It was shown that structural differences in the VP1 region of these viruses are crucial for inactivation with glutaraldehyde. Sensitive and moderately sensitive enteroviruses exhibited lysine residues in the outermost DE and BC loops of VP1 major capsid protein, while resistant viruses had no lysine residues in the N-terminus, β-strand D, BC, DE, and G2H loops of VP1. The identity in the VP1 region of MNV and human NoV is less than 50% which suggests the possibility of substantial discrepancies in their sensitivity to inactivation. The discrepancies observed among seven genetically closely related enteroviruses raises concern that testing results obtained using surrogate pathogens, even closely related, may not always be adequately extrapolative to human viruses.

Volha  Dzyakanava, Ph.D., Manager of the Virology Laboratory

The American Medical Association (AMA) will be considering a resolution at their House of Delegates meeting in Chicago on June 13-17 to address the role of clothing and accessories (neckties, jewelry, wrist watches, etc.) in the spread of pathogens in hospitals. Resolution 720 advises that hospitals adopt dress codes that “minimize transmission of nosocomial infections, particularly in critical and intensive care units.”

The resolution also specifically refers to the United Kingdom’s “bare below the elbows” policy.  If passed, such a resolution would cause a major fashion change in hospitals — no more long sleeve white lab coats. The proposed resolution is expected to help healthcare workers be more compliant with hand washing guidelines, as there will be less concerns about getting jewelry, wrist watches and long sleeves wet.  Avoiding wet shirt sleeves and wrist jewelry is one of the driving forces behind using alcohol-based gels. What have you heard from your customers reagarding this resolution?  If passed, do you think this will change the demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizers?