Tackling the bacteria crisis

Emma Scowen, Industrial Product Manager, MacDermid Autotype discusses methods now available for dealing with MRSA and other associated infections in the healthcare industry

Dealing with MRSA and other healthcare associated infections is a top priority for the government.

It is recognised that the issue of bacterial contamination in hospitals is fast becoming increasingly critical.

Every year infections caused by bacteria, such as MRSA and salmonella, cost the UK economy more than GBP1.4 billion with the cost of treatment and lost productivity being far greater at GBP120 billion.

As well as the economic consequences, the latest figures show that 9% of all UK patients contract an infection while in hospital which, consequently, results in more people dying from hospital acquired infections each year than in traffic accidents in the UK.

Recently, it emerged that the government is proposing legislation to reduce infections caused by bacteria, including MRSA, in England's hospitals and care homes.

Called The Health Improvement and Safety Bill, this new legislation places the responsibility for hospital hygiene with staff and management.

"Institutions that fail to meet the tough new code would be issued with improvement orders," announced Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, "Continued failure could lead to sanctions, including criminal prosecution".

However, it is not just the government that is troubled by bacterial contamination, it is also a growing concern among health professionals and even consumers, with 82% of people in the UK being worried about bacteria in hospitals.

As a result, product designers and manufacturing engineers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to find ways of enhancing the safety and performance of products and systems.

Indeed, they are actively seeking new materials and processes that will enable them to create a new generation of bacteria resistant medical equipment and surface coverings that will protect patients and hospital staff alike.

One area that will play a role in helping to meet these objectives is recent developments in plastics and film substrates.

These are typically used in the production of membrane keyboards, graphics displays and the protective layers on exposed surfaces, for example surface claddings.

The latest development is the launch of an anti-microbial substrate that features built-in protection against bacterial contamination developed jointly by MacDermid Autotype, the leading manufacturer of high performance films and chemicals, and Microban International.

Called Autotex AM, this unique film substrate incorporates built-in Microban anti-microbial protection, meaning that it inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mould and mildew.

In addition to its anti-microbial properties the film is scratch and chemical resistant, offering a tough and durable surface, capable of withstanding prolonged use in the most demanding environments.

The new substrate has been developed and designed for any surface application, such as keyboards and fascia panels on scanners and ward equipment, wall coverings, shelf and bench tops, where durability and anti-microbial protection is necessary.

Thanks to an ink adhesion primer on its inner face, Autotex AM is receptive to a wide range of standard graphic inks, making it possible to produce anything from basic signage to photo realistic displays.

The Microban anti-microbial technology is built into the Autotex textured hard coat during manufacture to ensure even distribution of the active agent throughout the texture and film surface and to ensure that the anti-microbial properties last for as long as the sturdy film's surface is not critically damaged.

The anti-microbial technology works by interacting with the cell wall of micro-organisms that come into contact with the surface of the film, disrupting key cell functions and preventing individual bacteria from functioning, growing or reproducing.

By continuously fighting the growth of microbes, this anti-microbial technology provides constant protection against bacterial contamination.

Essentially, the anti-microbial protection provided by the film contributes to improved hygiene levels in the workplace and ensures that the film surface remains free of harmful bacteria in the intervals between normal cleaning procedures.

Autotex AM has undergone extensive testing by one of the UK's leading independent, and accredited analytical testing bodies.

Using standard test protocols simulating real life cleaning regimes, the film was subjected to a period representing 15 years of usage.

Tests were also carried out on a variety of different Autotex AM samples, including unprocessed samples that were taken straight from the production line, plus samples that were subjected to simulated graphics printing.

In addition, film samples underwent testing to simulate extreme surface wear; this included the texture peaks being removed using sand paper and the surface polished using wire wool until it was smooth.

Finally, the film samples were stretched by 20%, to simulate the process of embossing.

The test results highlighted the excellent mechanical and physical properties of the new film substrate and, as importantly, the anti-microbial properties were tested against a wide range of harmful bacteria, including MRSA, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enteritidis, Listeria Monocytogenes and E.Coli 0157; in all cases, Autotex AM demonstrated a kill rate of more than 99%.

Although the use of this new generation of films will not eliminate the need for general cleanliness and hygiene, they nevertheless represent a significant evolution for hygiene critical applications and provide proven and continual protection against the risk of bacterial contamination.

For the first time ever, there is an anti-microbial protected, hard coated film that eliminates various bacteria which, if not controlled, could easily spread to other surfaces and individuals, potentially causing infections.

As legislation and regulatory guidelines for hospital infection control become more rigorous, the use of specific preventative measures focusing on decreased bacterial contamination, including anti-microbial surfaces, good practice and careful hygiene, will all serve to increase a hospital's capacity to meet and exceed specifications.

Dame Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation recently said: "We welcome the announcement of a new hygiene code: Everyone in the health service - managers, doctors and nurses alike, goes into the job because they want to make a difference.

The Health Improvement and Safety Bill should help them to do their job better".

This new generation of film substrate looks set to help.

This article was supplied by Emma Scowen, Industrial Product Manager, MacDermid Autotype.

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