BioCote - Complements Hygiene Practices on the Ward

With hygiene standards and patient safety a top priority for the NHS, every measure must be taken to lower the risks of cross-contamination and HCAIs. BioCote® protected products have antimicrobial protection against “superbugs” such as MRSA, and can complement cleaning and hand washing procedures to help reduce the risks of infection.

A number of leading healthcare companies use BioCote’s market-leading antimicrobial silver technology to help reduce levels of bacteria such as MRSA, Legionella, E-coli, Salmonella and Aspergilla Niger (black mould) on the surfaces of their products.

A COMPLETE ANTIMICROBIAL ENVIRONMENT

These products are offered at very competitive prices, allowing facilities and estates managers and procurement teams the opportunity to create an entire antimicrobial environment, which will help to reduce the risk of HCAIs. BioCote protected products are particularly beneficial in areas where the risk of cross contamination is greatest, such as wards, operating theatres and all high-traffic areas.

Over a 24 hour period BioCote protected products have the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria on surfaces by up to 99.9%, in comparison to unprotected surfaces where bacteria can proliferate at drastic rates. With less bacteria present, the potential for environment-to-hand cross-contamination reduces.

Matthew Harte, managing director, comments, “Despite regular cleaning, it is impossible to keep surfaces clean every minute of every day. BioCote works 24 hours a day, to reduce the levels of bacteria, mould and fungi on surfaces in-between cleaning”. BioCote therefore complements a hospital’s standard cleaning practices, giving an additional line of defence against harmful bacteria.

THE POWER OF SILVER

BioCote’s technology, in the form of silver ions, is incorporated into products at the time of manufacture. The silver ions concentrate on the surface of these products, making them antimicrobial, thus reducing the amount of bacteria present.

As silver is a natural element, it has a low toxicity, is very safe and does not affect the performance of a product in any way. Extensive testing has proven silver will retain its antimicrobial properties for the lifetime of a product, without it wearing off, leaking or leaching from the surface.

With Trusts eagerly implementing the Department of Health’s Code of Practice, BioCote’s innovative antimicrobial technology can complement hygiene practices, such as cleaning and hand washing, to help control HCAIs.