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INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL
Bacteria: The second line of defence
Hygiene and cleaning protocols will always be the first line of defence in healthcare environments. However, Addmaster’s Karl Shaw believes in an ever-changing system, it is important to look at the whole picture and identify what other cost- effective options can be put in place to reduce the risk of surface contamination.
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are among the most common complications of hospital care. According to the World Health Organization around 16 million people die every year from infections contracted in hospitals. Surfaces that are regularly cleaned and disinfected can be re-contaminated easily and quickly with the next contact. Antimicrobial technology can complement infection control procedures as a powerful second line of defence in a wide range of applications reducing bacterial levels on product surfaces, providing an extra benefit in addition to cleaning alone. In independent tests, surfaces containing inbuilt antimicrobial technology have been shown to inhibit the growth of most commons types of harmful bacteria including MRSA, VRE, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They inhibit the growth of microbes round the clock, providing durable product protection for the useful lifetime of the treated article.
Antimicrobial protection helps keep
surfaces clean between scheduled cleaning events. By reducing the amount of bacteria you are also reducing opportunities for environmental contamination. Biomaster antimicrobial product protection is used extensively to complement existing hygiene protocols and is based on silver ion technology. The benefits of silver as an antimicrobial have been known for thousands of years, inhibiting the growth of bacteria without the high toxicity associated with other metals – copper, for example. Silver ion technology has three modes of action. When bacteria come into contact with a protected surface, the silver ions prevent them from growing, producing energy or replicating, therefore they die. When the technology is added it becomes an integral part of the product, only imparting antimicrobial properties and not affecting the basic colour or surface finish of any product in which it is used. It can even be used in
JUNE 2018
Biomaster-treated neuVend SI flexible hose liner developed by Colex International
Any equipment that involves frequent handling is a vector for bacterial growth.
clear grades of plastic. In typical tests, it has been proven to reduce the overall level of most common types of bacteria including MRSA, VRE and ESBL producing bacteria by up to 99.9% against ISO 22196:2011. It is easily incorporated into any plastic, textile, paper, paint or coating during the manufacturing process to provide lasting antimicrobial protection for the lifetime of the product.
Clinical equipment
There are many areas where antimicrobially treated products are already in use working in conjunction with infection control procedures across the UK. Warwick SASCo, manufactures re-usable polyware for
hospitals and has introduced a range of antimicrobial holders for bed pan products. The slipper pan and bed pan supports, for lying down and seated patients respectively, have the added benefit of antimicrobial product protection, providing an additional level of product protection in hygiene-critical environments.
Antimicrobial bathing systems are also designed to reduce the growth of bacteria during routine hygiene activities. Alert-IT is a provider of assistive technology for people with epilepsy, the elderly, frail and disabled, ensuring a high level of watchfulness without the presence of a 24-hour carer. The antimicrobial Companion Mini is said to be the smallest, most compact wireless epilepsy support monitor of its kind and identifies motion associated with epileptic seizures whilst ignoring sleep activities. Static Systems also supplies a hand unit designed for use by people with a range of disabilities with inbuilt antimicrobial product protection, while Pinpoint supplies personal alarm systems for frontline staff at risk of violence in the workplace. All exterior alarm
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