Built-in hygiene for hospitals

Emma Scowen, industrial product manager at MacDermid Autotype, examines the benefits of new film substrates for hygiene-critical applications

Cleanliness and hygiene are critical in hospitals, to prevent the spread of bacteria that cause infections such as listeria monocytogenes, klebsiella spp, escherichia coli, salmonella enteritidis and MRSA.

These latter two have been estimated to cost the UK economy over £1.4 billion a year, and the cost of treatment and lost productivity is judged to be far higher - over £120 billion (source: National Spending Watchdog/NAO).

MRSA and hospital cleanliness are hot topics in the press.

Public anxiety about bacteria contamination in hospitals has grown exponentially, with now more than four-fifths of the people in the UK expressing concern about the situation.

Patients are afraid of going into hospital, because of media exposure of the infection rate and perceived sub-standard cleanliness levels.

Not only has the number of individuals infected by MRSA grown significantly over the last few years, but the number of non-symptomatic carriers of the strain has also increased by almost 10%.

So far, there has not been a definitive answer to why some carriers are more vulnerable to infection, but the rise in both sufferers and carriers leads to an increased risk of cross contamination and infection.

Research has proven that hand contact with contaminated surfaces can rapidly transfer bacteria to other surfaces and eventually to individuals.

The latest figures show that as many as 9% of UK patients are infected while they are in hospital.

In addition, figures revealed by Lord Warner in late 2004 show that fewer than half of the hospitals throughout the country achieved good or excellent cleanliness ratings.

Recently, it has emerged that legislation may be implemented that places the responsibility for hospital hygiene with the staff and management, with severe punishments for those hospitals that are affected, possibly leading to health executives being charged with corporate manslaughter.

While initiatives have focused on individual components of cleanliness such as hand washing, the problem is still escalating and cleaning alone may never be enough.

While regular cleaning can remove existing microbes and bacteria from surfaces, it will not protect them from being recontaminated the next time they are touched.

Health premises must therefore incorporate intrinsic protection to reverse the current trend and stop the spread of bacteria.

Hospital equipment, in particular control panels such as keyboards, fascia panels, even doors, shelves and wall coverings can all be touched by staff and occasionally patients, many times throughout each shift, making them perfect areas for harbouring bacteria.

In an ideal world, surfaces would be resistant to infections, or inhibit their growth significantly, lessening the risk of cross contamination and preventing the spread of disease.

Recent developments in plastics, film substrates and antimicrobial research have produced an antimicrobial substrate that is ideal for use in these applications, as its built-in protection provides dependable and constant protection against bacterial contamination.

Developed jointly by MacDermid Autotype and Microban International, the new film is the first of its kind to be designed and made for this specific purpose.

Surfaces that are made with the hard-wearing material incorporate Microban antimicrobial protection that inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mould and mildew.

Microban antimicrobial technology is incorporated into the durable hard coat during manufacturing, ensuring an even distribution of the active agent throughout the texture and film surface.

Samples have been tested by a leading independent inspection body, using standard test protocols simulating real-life cleaning regimes over 15 years.

Extensive testing has proven the film can inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and moulds including listeria monocytogenes, klebsiella spp, escherichia coli, salmonella enteridis and most importantly MRSA.

Because the reverse side of the film substrate is primed to receive a wide range of graphic inks, it can be used to make decorated items like keyboards, control panels for medical instrumentation or even floor and wall signage around hospitals.

In addition to the practical benefits of its use in hospital applications, the new substrate could also provide peace of mind and reassurance to staff, private health insurers and patients.

Staff in particular could feel more confident, relieved by the knowledge of decreased risk to patients and improved hygiene levels in the workplace.

At the same time, patients and concerned family members can also be reassured the hospital has a high level of hygiene and safety.

With legislation and regulatory guidelines for hospital cleanliness becoming more rigorous, the use of specific preventive measures focusing on decreased bacterial contamination will all serve to increase a hospital's capacity to meet and exceed specifications.

The solution to hospital infections is not a simple process; it must include a broad regime of hand washing and the use of rigorous cleaning products and routines.

No human system is fail-safe, and any hospital infection control programme is only as good as the weakest link in its chain.

By increasing the use of products that inhibit bacteria and provide constant protection against bacterial contamination, that specific link can be a strong one, leading the battle for higher levels of cleanliness and sterility in hospitals.

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