Dry 'fog' helping protect Essex air ambulance crew and patients against COVID-19
It is made from a specially-prepared water which contains salt and electricity
Extra steps are being taken by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) to protect both patients and crew members from COVID-19.
Staff and equipment will be decontaminated using a specially-prepared water which contains salt and electricity.
It is said to "instantly" kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
A dry 'fog’ created from electrolysed saline water is released inside a tent into which anything that needs treating is placed.
The system is said to be environmentally-friendly, as well as non-toxic, non-corrosive and leaves no harmful residues.
Electrolysed water is already used in the food industry and for water treatment.
Crews at the charity’s airbases at North Weald and Earls Colne are using the fogging system at the end of every shift, and after every mission.
Stuart Elms, clinical director at EHAAT, said:
"I’m delighted that we can add this extra layer of decontamination to our already strong measures of infection prevention and control.
"We will continue to look for ways to increase the safety of our patients and crews."
The charity is working with the East of England NHS Ambulance Trust to ensure their frontline patient-facing staff are all vaccinated against the virus.
Since 4 January, EHAAT has also been helping to transfer some COVID-19 patients between hospitals, while continuing to respond to their normal workload of medical emergencies, cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, serious injuries and more.