X-STATIC® Antimicrobial Technology Releases Whitepaper on Infection Prevention for Soft Surface Fabrics
SCRANTON, Pa., Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- X-STATIC®, the silver-based antimicrobial technology, released a whitepaper to educate infection preventionists on the issue of contamination of soft surface fabrics in healthcare settings. The whitepaper, titled "Soft Surface Bacterial Contamination: Considerations for a Complete Infection Prevention Program," examines current data, guidelines and available antimicrobial fabric solutions.
Soft surface textiles such as privacy curtains, lab coats, scrubs, and bed linens constitute 90 percent of the patient healthcare environment. Clinical studies have proven these surfaces are highly contaminated by microorganisms and have the potential to transmit bacteria to patients and healthcare workers. One such study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that 92 percent of privacy curtains tested in intensive care units showed contamination within one week, and 95 percent showed contamination over three weeks. Multi-drug resistant organisms found on the curtains included methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE).
"Despite evidence that these surfaces contain bacteria and that this bacteria can be transmitted to skin, soft surfaces are overlooked in everyday infection prevention practices," said Peg Luebbert, Infection Control Expert and Founder of Healthcare Interventions, Inc. "What most people don't consider is that soft surfaces present a tremendous risk of cross contamination. Simple actions, such as closing a bedside curtain or reaching in a pocket to retrieve a pen, immediately compromise a clean or sanitized hand. This whitepaper sheds light on how important proper soft surface bacterial management is in the overall reduction of healthcare associated infections."
As part of the "infection prevention bundle," fabrics powered by X-STATIC antimicrobial technology complete an infection prevention protocol when implemented with other evidence based strategies such as hand hygiene, contact isolation, proper laundering and hard surface disinfection. X-STATIC works by permanently bonding textile fibers with a layer of 99.9 percent pure metallic silver. This silver layer creates an ionic shield that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi for the life of the product with no behavior modification for use required. Fabrics made with X-STATIC are clinically-proven to reduce 99.9 percent of bacteria and deliver quick, comprehensive and permanent protection. The white paper is available for download here.
For more information visit www.InfectionPreventionTextiles.com or "like" X-STATIC® on Facebook. X-STATIC® is a registered trademark of Noble Fiber Technologies, LLC. Noble Biomaterials, Inc. is a global leader in bacterial management solutions. Noble is a strategic partner of APIC and works closely with the infection prevention community toward the common goal of reducing healthcare associated infections. X-STATIC® is the active ingredient in FDA- and CE-approved products for advanced woundcare and has undergone extensive safety testing. X-STATIC® is also a registered antimicrobial agent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In addition to its use in healthcare settings, X-STATIC® is used by Olympic athletes, military forces around the world, NASA astronauts and many of the world's premier consumer brands. X-STATIC® is the leader in antimicrobial fabric technology, and has been proven to extremes in the most demanding applications and environments. The company's headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Scranton, PA, with global offices in Europe, Asia and South America.
SOURCE X-STATIC
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