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