Sanitizing footwear
Cheryl Lewis
Description
Collection
Title:
Sanitizing footwear
Creator:
Cheryl Lewis
Date:
4/23/2020
Text:
Hello All,
I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy!
I thought I would share some of the things I have been working on as I try to re-open my clinic safely. Last week I saw a report that some experts are thinking that one of the ways the virus is spreading is from footwear - they say the virus can live on footwear for 48 hours or more depending on the material. This sent shivers down my spine. As an orthotist I handle footwear ALL DAY LONG and the shoes move around our shop area during many appointments.
I quickly realized that the only way I can feel confident again handling footwear is if I try to sanitize them as much as possible BEFORE entering the building. This also includes the mobility aids they are using - wheels etc. To this end I am working on a sanitizing walkway outside. I have ordered to materials from Home Depot and will start soon. My design is meant to be as safe as possible for the people walking through it and there are 2 separate baths they will walk through with some platforms between. Basically this is what I have come up with so far - 18' long x 36 wide with full length handrails on both side. Raised plywood design with 2 ramp up to a 4' x 36 section of astroturf (scrubber), 2 boot tray (30x15 is what I could find) set up lengthwise with soapy water and astro turf in the bath for stability and scrubbing - one for each foot. Then another 5'x36 platform area with a chair on one side for them to sit and spray the uppers of their shoes - then another set of boot trays with sanitizer (I am using Spray Nine since it is more environmentally friendly and kills SARS and HIV ) and finally another 4' platform before a small ramp down to level ground. I plan to use threshold molding over the transition areas to make it as smooth as possible.
The entire walkway is 18 feet - fortunately I have room - I am sure it could be shorter but my concern was patients who are mobility impaired or have walkers wheelchairs etc - that is why the 4' and 5' platforms are in the middle - so the entire device can be on the same level platform for maximal stability. I will be using hand rails on both sides of course.
I realized I should probably put this out there on the list because we are particularly vulnerable to footwear - and we can't just ask people to wear covers over their shoes - it doesn't help us when we have to handle them!! I will of course be using gloves and other sanitizers on all the footwear I handle in the lab area - but I would rather as much of the virus stay outside as possible. This is something that other professions may not have to worry about so there isn't much talk about it - but if you are like me you probably handle 10+ pairs of shoes a day.
I just thought I would spread the word!! We need to protect ourselves!! I will be working on this next week - if anyone has other ideas or suggestions I would be happy to hear them!!
Stay safe All!!
cheryl
Cheryl Lewis BSc(HK), CO(c)
Certified Orthotist
Owner, CK Ortho Inc
Ph 519-436-9670
I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy!
I thought I would share some of the things I have been working on as I try to re-open my clinic safely. Last week I saw a report that some experts are thinking that one of the ways the virus is spreading is from footwear - they say the virus can live on footwear for 48 hours or more depending on the material. This sent shivers down my spine. As an orthotist I handle footwear ALL DAY LONG and the shoes move around our shop area during many appointments.
I quickly realized that the only way I can feel confident again handling footwear is if I try to sanitize them as much as possible BEFORE entering the building. This also includes the mobility aids they are using - wheels etc. To this end I am working on a sanitizing walkway outside. I have ordered to materials from Home Depot and will start soon. My design is meant to be as safe as possible for the people walking through it and there are 2 separate baths they will walk through with some platforms between. Basically this is what I have come up with so far - 18' long x 36 wide with full length handrails on both side. Raised plywood design with 2 ramp up to a 4' x 36 section of astroturf (scrubber), 2 boot tray (30x15 is what I could find) set up lengthwise with soapy water and astro turf in the bath for stability and scrubbing - one for each foot. Then another 5'x36 platform area with a chair on one side for them to sit and spray the uppers of their shoes - then another set of boot trays with sanitizer (I am using Spray Nine since it is more environmentally friendly and kills SARS and HIV ) and finally another 4' platform before a small ramp down to level ground. I plan to use threshold molding over the transition areas to make it as smooth as possible.
The entire walkway is 18 feet - fortunately I have room - I am sure it could be shorter but my concern was patients who are mobility impaired or have walkers wheelchairs etc - that is why the 4' and 5' platforms are in the middle - so the entire device can be on the same level platform for maximal stability. I will be using hand rails on both sides of course.
I realized I should probably put this out there on the list because we are particularly vulnerable to footwear - and we can't just ask people to wear covers over their shoes - it doesn't help us when we have to handle them!! I will of course be using gloves and other sanitizers on all the footwear I handle in the lab area - but I would rather as much of the virus stay outside as possible. This is something that other professions may not have to worry about so there isn't much talk about it - but if you are like me you probably handle 10+ pairs of shoes a day.
I just thought I would spread the word!! We need to protect ourselves!! I will be working on this next week - if anyone has other ideas or suggestions I would be happy to hear them!!
Stay safe All!!
cheryl
Cheryl Lewis BSc(HK), CO(c)
Certified Orthotist
Owner, CK Ortho Inc
Ph 519-436-9670
Citation
Cheryl Lewis, “Sanitizing footwear,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/254879.
