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Microbiologist urges healthcare officials to act now
07 March 2013
An expert microbiologist is urging healthcare officials to act now to prevent a potentially devastating outbreak of NDM-1.
An expert microbiologist is urging healthcare
officials to act now to prevent a potentially
devastating outbreak of NDM-1.
Dr Richard Hastings, microbiologist for antimicrobial specialists BioCote, says that while the new superbug is resistant to the most powerful antibiotics, the fact is that antimicrobial silver ion technology is effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria, including E.coli, the bacterium known to carry NDM-1.
Dr Hastings said:"There's no doubt in my mind that more drastic action needs to be taken to combat hospital bugs and this is even more paramount now NDM-1 has entered UK hospitals. To compound this, there are also a host of other harmful microbes like MRSA and Salmonella that present their own dangers.
"My message for the Government and the healthcare industry in general is clear - prevention is better than cure. By adopting antimicrobial silver technology into hospital equipment and furniture at the manufacturing stage, it is proven through independent laboratory testing to dramatically reduce bacteria, including E.coli and MRSA,by up to 99 per cent. This obviously reduces the risk of cross contamination and consequently the risks of patients being infected." BioCote technology can be incorporated into a wide range of products specific to the healthcare industry or any environment where hygiene standards are critical, including restaurants, on-board cruise ships and in schools or offices for example. For hospitals, this means wall or floor tiles, paint, curtains,bed sheets, chairs, tables,work surfaces and medical equipment could feature built-in antimicrobial protection that lasts for the lifetime of the product.
Continued Dr Hastings:"Any interventions that can reduce harmful microbes being transmitted to patients must be good news and one that both government and the healthcare industry have to take seriously. Unfortunately, even with the strictest hygiene practices in place,well trained staff and the best disinfectants on the market, it is impossible to clean a surface every minute of the day.
Once cleaning stops, bacteria begins to grow, with some microbes able to double in number in as little as 20 minutes."
Dr Richard Hastings, microbiologist for antimicrobial specialists BioCote, says that while the new superbug is resistant to the most powerful antibiotics, the fact is that antimicrobial silver ion technology is effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria, including E.coli, the bacterium known to carry NDM-1.
Dr Hastings said:"There's no doubt in my mind that more drastic action needs to be taken to combat hospital bugs and this is even more paramount now NDM-1 has entered UK hospitals. To compound this, there are also a host of other harmful microbes like MRSA and Salmonella that present their own dangers.
"My message for the Government and the healthcare industry in general is clear - prevention is better than cure. By adopting antimicrobial silver technology into hospital equipment and furniture at the manufacturing stage, it is proven through independent laboratory testing to dramatically reduce bacteria, including E.coli and MRSA,by up to 99 per cent. This obviously reduces the risk of cross contamination and consequently the risks of patients being infected." BioCote technology can be incorporated into a wide range of products specific to the healthcare industry or any environment where hygiene standards are critical, including restaurants, on-board cruise ships and in schools or offices for example. For hospitals, this means wall or floor tiles, paint, curtains,bed sheets, chairs, tables,work surfaces and medical equipment could feature built-in antimicrobial protection that lasts for the lifetime of the product.
Continued Dr Hastings:"Any interventions that can reduce harmful microbes being transmitted to patients must be good news and one that both government and the healthcare industry have to take seriously. Unfortunately, even with the strictest hygiene practices in place,well trained staff and the best disinfectants on the market, it is impossible to clean a surface every minute of the day.
Once cleaning stops, bacteria begins to grow, with some microbes able to double in number in as little as 20 minutes."
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