BioCoteŽ, the leading brand for silver antimicrobial product protection, will be exhibiting on stand D6 at Healthcare Ireland 2009.
BioCote Ltd will be sharing details of the first ever study that demonstrated how using silver treated (BioCote’d) products in a hospital environment results in a reduction in bacterial contamination. The pilot study was carried out by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and BioCote Ltd over an 18 month period.
The study compares bacterial counts in two out-patient departments, unit A was furnished with silver treated products including blinds, tiles, door handles, sack holders and light switches and also a number of untreated products. Unit B contained standard, untreated items. After one year swabs were collected to measure the number of bacteria on the products in each department.
Bacteria counts were 95.8% lower in unit A, containing BioCoteŽ protected products, compared to unit B, with no BioCoteŽ present.
The study highlights how BioCoteŽ protected products can reduce levels of bacterial contamination, leading to a more hygienic and safer environment for patients. Fewer bacteria can also reduce the risks of cross-contamination and consequently the risks of patients being infected with "superbugs" such as MRSA.
BioCoteŽ technology is based on silver, a safe, natural antimicrobial, commonly used in wound dressings and surface-coated catheters to reduce the risk of infection. When bacteria come into contact with silver, they lose their ability to reproduce and die. BioCote Ltd works with a growing number of manufacturers of healthcare equipment and furniture to incorporate silver ion technology into their products at the manufacturing stage. Silver can be incorporated into a variety of materials including plastics, fabrics, paints, powder coatings and papers.
Tracey Baker, Marketing Manager comments, “Until this study the efficacy of silver-treated products has always been confirmed in laboratory testing. BioCote Ltd is leading the way in building a sound evidence base to suggest that products treated with a silver technology, such as BioCoteŽ, can help reduce bacterial contamination in real life environments, making them cleaner and more hygienic for occupants.
BioCoteŽ protected products will never be the silver bullets to kill infection in hospitals, but by introducing such products into healthcare environments, this evidence begins to justify how they can be part of infection prevention and control strategies to reduce the risks of cross-contamination and consequential infection”.
Visit the BioCoteŽ stand for their latest product brochure and delegate freebies!
25 February 2009
BioCote® proven to work in real-life environments.
As experts in our field, BioCote Ltd is leading the way in research and evidence-based studies to demonstrate the antimicrobial performance of BioCote® protected products not only in lab tests but also in real life environments.
