Zero Patient Infections Reported At DISC

MARINA DEL REY, CA. – DISC Spine & Sports Center, proudly announces its medical center is “infection free” after an initial 18 months of operation where over 1,200 procedures have been performed, according to Dr. Robert S. Bray Jr., founding director and CEO. The outpatient specialty hospital is a fully-integrated medical group providing next generation diagnostics, conservative care, sports medicine and rehabilitation along with digital ORs that focus on minimally invasive spine procedures and advanced arthroscopic surgeries.

“This is a highly-significant accomplishment and we are extremely proud of our achievement,” Bray said. “Our goal from day one has been to redefine patient care and we have succeeded in this mission. By design, we implemented extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of our patients. In over18 months of operation, we have clearly demonstrated that the procedures, protocols and technologies we have employed can make a dramatic impact in saving lives. We have proven the ability to reduce the risk of infection, which is reaching epidemic proportions today in the hospital environment.”

In a study released last spring, the CDC estimated there are 4.5 hospital infections for every 100 patient admissions resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths. With the increased resistance to infection-fighting drugs, especially the potent MRSA bacteria, these figures are alarming.

With the explicit goal of minimizing the risk of infection in the 7,200-square foot surgery center, Dr. Bray made a strategic decision to install a $750,000 environmental air conditioning system throughout the entire center. Special attention was given to the three ultra clean operating rooms installing individual true 99.71% efficient HEPA filters to further eliminate any comingling of bacteria. With 30 air exchanges/per hour this filter exceeds the industry standard.

As an added level of protection, DISC has recently installed UVC Emitters (ultraviolet) to all critical area air moving units to destroy incoming airborne germs, bacteria and microorganisms including the highly-lethal anthrax. This level of protection is unprecedented in a medical facility and is the same type of system used by the CDC in Atlanta. Moreover, very stringent policies were developed to address the basic functioning and hygiene of the surgery center. These protocols encompass patient contact, hand washing, outside clothing regulations along with minimal use of catheters. D.I.S.C. has also begun pre-screening high-risk patients for MRSA.

“When I founded DISC, I made a commitment to our patients to provide a higher standard of care,” Bray said. “We will continue to be vigilant, pro-active and do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our patients and staff in all situations.”