SERA Supply was founded by a member of the neurodiagnostic community who recognized the urgent need for a single-use mini wax pencil to safeguard both patients and technicians. Upon encountering a situation where a trauma patient with a known blood-borne disease left a wax pencil drenched in blood, we were shocked to find that the protocol dictated wiping the pencil, peeling off the paper, and reusing it on other patients. Multiuse wax markers (china markers), and mechanical wax pencils continue to be used across hundreds of patients each year, exposing them to a variety of pathogens. These include but are not limited to: HIV, C. difficile, hepatitis C, scabies, Creutzfeldt–Jacob Disease, ESBL-producing bacteria, and lice. Especially concerning is the application of these markers in scenarios involving blood, emesis, or cerebral matter on the scalp and within the hair of patients, such as post-surgery or post-intubation procedures. Expressing our concerns to management only resulted in being instructed to persist with the same practice, as there seemed to be no alternative available. Committed to proactive infection prevention, we promptly alerted the Infection Prevention (IP) Department, catalyzing a swift ban on multiuse wax pencils and mechanical pencils across all locations.
As a temporary measure, standard wax pencils were being broken into smaller pieces to serve as a single-use alternative. However, these makeshift solutions posed concerns as the supplies from various companies lacked labeling indicating safe use on skin or hair. Moreover, the labor-intensive process of creating these broken pencils proved to be both financially burdensome and an inefficient use of skilled technicians’ time, resulting in unnecessary waste of product. Next, we considered breaking off the tip of wax on mechanical pencils to reuse but quickly realized the infection risk was within the barrel we were unable to clean. Thus, we embarked on a mission to develop a ready-to-use, single-use mini wax pencil—a product designed for safe application on patients’ skin and hair, resistant to sweat and water, and small enough to limit waste. In doing so, we aimed to provide a reliable solution that ensures both patient safety and operational efficiency in neurodiagnostic settings.
Discover SERA Supply, founded by a neurodiagnostic expert driven by a commitment to patient safety. Learn how our single-use mini wax pencil and removable skin markers create better protocols, safeguarding patients and technicians.
For more information or questions related to single-use mini wax pencils or removable skin markers, email us now at contact@serasupply.com