Veraco launches Clinasil, an innovative antimicrobial surface cover for Healthcare and Workplace
Tuesday 16 May, 2023Clinasil has 93% less microorganisms than untreated surfaces,12-months after installation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Radiotherapy Department
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAI's) cost the NHS an estimated £2.7 billion per year (1). In one case, 39% of patients had contaminated hands within 48 hours after admission to hospital, with at least one pathogenic organism (2). In a study of intensive care units, only 50% of surfaces were cleaned adequately (3). Improving the hygiene of surfaces is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS. A recent study published in the Lancet highlights that Sars Cov2 on surfaces and hands was a major contributor to the spread of the virus. (4)
Clinasil is a protective cover for common touchpoints made from antimicrobial technology. In collaboration with leading NHS trusts, Clinasil has been clinically proven to aid cleaning and prevent the growth of microorganisms. The products had 98% less organisms on their surfaces 14 weeks after installation at Bradford Teaching Hospital, compared to the same surfaces before installation (5). At Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Radiotherapy Department, 12 months after installation, Clinasil had 93% or 14 times fewer microorganisms than untreated surfaces. (5) Furthermore, they provide a 99.99% reduction in MRSA, E.coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Golden staph, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 99.96% against C.Diff, when tested in an independent accredited UK lab. (5)
‘Smart surfaces’, like Clinasil are considered to be the future for infection prevention. A team of researchers from Imperial College London released a briefing paper stating 'Molecular science and engineering approaches can be employed to develop “smart” surfaces that could reduce microbial attachment, actively destroy microbes, and disrupt the microbial habitat. Such antimicrobial surfaces have the potential to provide effective, low-cost solutions to combat microbial contamination, transmission and antimicrobial resistance. (6)
Charles Churchman, Head of Innovation said, "We're thrilled to launch Clinasil, our latest innovation in antimicrobial surface covers. Collaborating with leading NHS trusts over a 12 month period is a vital and ground-breaking step to demonstrate the positive impact of Clinasil across both workplace and healthcare."
Joe Maslen, Radiotherapy Department at Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust said, "The Veraco products have been a great addition to our Radiotherapy department, offering both staff and patients reassurance that infection control is being taken seriously. I've found an increased confidence and peace of mind using surface touchpoints, knowing microbial levels are being passively reduced."
About Veraco
Veraco is a UK-based company that specialises in developing cutting-edge antimicrobial innovations that address real-world problems. Their product, Clinasil is used in various settings, such as healthcare, facilities, schools, offices, and public spaces.
www.veraco.co.uk
References:1. Guest JF, Keating T, Gould D, Wigglesworth N. Modelling the annual NHS costs and outcomes attributable to healthcare-associated infections in England. BMJ Open. 2020 Jan 22;10(1):e033367. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033367. PMID: 31974088; PMCID: PMC7045184.
2. Nancy Istenes, James Bingham, Susan Hazelett, Eileen Fleming, Jane Kirk,
Patients’ potential role in the transmission of health care-associated infections: Prevalence of contamination with bacterial pathogens and patient attitudes toward hand hygiene,
American Journal of Infection Control,
Volume 41, Issue 9
3. Casini B, Tuvo B, Scarpaci M, Totaro M, Badalucco F, Briani S, Luchini G, Costa AL, Baggiani A. Implementation of an Environmental Cleaning Protocol in Hospital Critical Areas Using a UV-C Disinfection Robot. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 28;20(5):4284. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054284. PMID: 36901293; PMCID: PMC10001687
4. Risk factors and vectors for SARS-CoV-2 household transmission: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. Derqui, NievesCutajar, Jessica et al.The Lancet Microbe, Volume 0, Issue 0
5. Technical Data Sheet
6. Antimicrobial surfaces (2020) Imperial College London. Available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/antimicrobial-surfaces/ (Accessed: February 5, 2023)
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/molecular-science-engineering/publications-and-outputs/briefing-papers/smart-surfaces-to-tackle-infection-and-antimicrobial-resistance/
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