CLINICAL

INFECTION CONTROL

X-Static antimicrobial technology offers a reliable and proven solution in the fight against HAIs .

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Healthcare associated infections ( HAIs ) and increasing antibiotic resistance are among the most significant healthcare costs , patient quality outcome , capacity inhibitors , and risks faced by the industry worldwide . There is however a simple , local proven solution . Demonstrating 99.9 % reduction in bacteria , Silverguard textiles together with leading role players are optimising infection control through evidence based soft surface management .

HAI ’ s are the fourth leading cause of death in the US at 99 000 per year , the CDC reports that on any given day , about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one HAI . While there are no reliable statistics in SA , some reports suggest up to 70 % of patients admitted to ICU will acquire an HAI .

SOFT SURFACES IC – MISSING PUZZLE PIECE

“ HAI ' s and increasing antibiotic resistance are costly , inhibit capacity , and resource utilisation , particularly in the public sector ,” said Silverguard CEO Tony Lundin .

While there are a number of stringently enforced initiatives , and a handful of institutions use proactive detection and focused intervention programmes , the majority of infection control ( IC ) protocols primarily concentrate on hand washing and disinfection of hard surfaces . “ With soft surfaces accounting for approximately 90 % of patient contact environment , even robust infection control protocols often miss the link in the fight against ever more drug resistant bacteria - soft surfaces infection control . Infection prevention through silver anti-microbial technology is quite simply the best proven solution .”

SILVER IN HEALTHCARE Silver has a long history as an antibiotic in healthcare . Advancing biotechnology has enabled incorporation of ionisable silver into fabrics for clinical use to reduce the risk of nosocomial infections and for personal hygiene .

“ There are a number of claims from organisations citing ‘ silver ’ usage with antimicrobial solutions for soft surfaces . However not all ‘ antimicrobial ’ products are the same . Pure metallic silver filaments , silver compounds , Nano technologies , and chemical topical treatments all yield very different levels of efficacy , safety , and protection ,” warns Lundin .

“ Sustainability , durability , and efficacy are influenced by the application process resulting in silver particles becoming detached and reducing over the life of the product - influenced by adhesion capability and rigorous health laundering processes - which means fewer to little silver ions are available to inhibit bacterial destruction .”

A TRUE SOFT SURFACE ANTIMICROBIAL SOLUTION

What makes X-Static antimicrobial technology unique is that it combines 100 % pure ionisable silver with a textile fibre woven process delivering an evidence based , permanent , sustained , and safe solution with continuous supply of ions lasting over the product

SAI Global Laboratory In-Vitro Results Silverguard Linen Test Sample

lifespan . The silver is a broad spectrum antimicrobial causing a 3-log reduction in bacteria within a 4 hour period .

EFFICACY EVIDENCE “ X-Static boasts not only international but local unequivocal independent laboratory and operational evidence ,” said Lundin .

Broad spectrum in vivo and in vitro testing has been conducted proving the efficacy of Silverguard powered by X-Static against most drug resistant bacteria . Recent risk assessment product evaluations covering linen , medical apparel and privacy curtains conducted in prominent SA Public and Private sector , high dependency units , conclusively proved a 99 % reduction in bacteria , corroborating soft surface product trials conducted internationally .

Further , during January 2017 , Johannesburg branch SAI Global Laboratories , who operate in 29 Countries , conducted a trial on behalf of Silverguard , impregnating X-Static ® and standard hospital linen with E . coli .

The results proved a Colony Forming Unit ( cfu ) reduction of 99.89 % over four hours and 99.99 % over 24 hours , reducing from 180 000 to less than 10 in X-Static linen and an increase of 95.44 % from 153 500 cfu to greater than 300 000 in the standard hospital linen .

“ Clinically proven to reduce infection pathogens on soft surfaces by 99.9 %, Silverguard manufactures the most effective antimicrobial products including full range of uniforms , medical and theatre apparel , drapes , linen , privacy curtains , and accessories which have received phenomenal take up in the industry ,” said Lundin . “ As a proudly South African company , all production is done locally enabling us to offer a custom range of products .”

References available on request .

20 MAY 2017 | MEDICAL CHRONICLE