New Weapons In The Fight Against Superbugs

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 02 May 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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Today sees the launch of two powerful weapons in the fight against superbugs from Synergy Healthcare. AirCleanse™, is a new air-purifying system for healthcare services that achieves a massive 99.99% kill rate for all airborne infections . Assure™/AssurePlus™ is a new range of cleaning products specially designed to meet the stringent needs of today's healthcare environment. Importantly both AirCleanse™ and AssurePlus™ are effective against the most resistant infections Clostridium difficile and tuberculosis (TB).

Currently there are at least 100,000 cases of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) resulting directly in around 5,000 deaths in the UK each year and acting as a major contributor in a further 15,000 deaths. Particularly difficult to remove is C. difficile. HPA figures released only last week show that prevalence of C. difficile alone is up by 8% with 55,681 reported cases in 2006. This is an ever-increasing problem for the NHS, costing as much as £1bn and wasting around 3.6 million bed days every year.

Airborne infections are spread by sneezing, coughing and shedding of skin. They pose risks to healthcare staff as well as patients. These potentially life-threatening diseases, including MRSA, tuberculosis, Legionnaires' disease and C. difficile, can be removed from the air by AirCleanse™ , which dramatically reduces the chance of infection.

A major benefit of AirCleanse™ is that, unlike many air purification systems in use, the system does not require patients to leave the room whilst the purification process is taking place. Forcing patients to vacate rooms encourages greater spread of disease to other areas and increases the risk of infection.

AirCleanse™ uses advanced Close Coupled Field Technology (CCFT), a unique patented process, which is the most effective on the market for destroying an extensive range of airborne biohazards and chemicals. CCFT works by forcing hazardous agents through a high-flow air system onto an electrostatic filter, which captures them and leaves only pure air to be released.

Dr Richard Steeves, CEO of Synergy Healthcare, said: "Every day we hear about more cases of hospital infections and the increased strain on the NHS. AirCleanse™ and the Assure™ range both reflect Synergy Healthcare's desire to meet the needs of the health service with highly effective yet easy to use products. This is another important milestone in the quest for a total infection control solution."

Assure™ and Assure Plus™ both use Byotrol™, a patented anti-microbial technology that's proven to be up to four times more effective than conventional sanitising products in removing MRSA. They have a long-lasting residual activity, which means they carry on working to eliminate microorganisms long after application. When used within normal cleaning protocols a highly effective nano-layer is formed, which contributes to increased efficacy over time.

Assure™ is different to conventional sanitisers because it is has a very low alcohol content meaning that it does not dry or irritate skin. This is crucial for nurses who have a high instance of dermatitis from continuous contact with cleaning products. Furthermore Assure™ is non-toxic, non-corrosive and proven to be effective when surfaces are both wet and dry. It works by first binding to infectious cells and causing them to break down and secondly by forming a nano-film over surfaces to prevent any organisms breeding.

Both products have been launched by Synergy Healthcare, a leading provider of services in the health sector, with key services aimed at reducing operational risks for healthcare providers, maintaining high quality standards and promoting the achievement of efficiency targets.

Synergy Healthcare

Founded in 1991, Synergy Healthcare is a leading provider of outsourced healthcare support services within the UK, Europe and Asia and is the UK's largest provider of decontamination and sterilisation services to the NHS. Synergy believes that a holistic approach is the only way to control infection. As part of its 'infection control solution' it offers a wide range of services, including: infection control products; surgical support; medical device sterilisation; and linen management.
www.synergyhealthcare.co.uk

Assure™ and Assure Plus™

Assure™ and Assure Plus™ are ranges of disinfectant products for use in healthcare services. They are effective against bacterial spores and cells, viruses, fungi and algae. Assure™ is for use in care homes and nurseries where as the stronger Assure Plus™ is for use in hospitals. The unique technology they utilise was patented by Byotrol™. Synergy Healthcare owns the licence for marketing Byotrol™. in the healthcare sector in the UK, under the brand names Assure™ and AssurePlus™.

AirCleanse™

AirCleanse™ is an air purification system that uses Close Couple Field Technology (CCFT) for the complete destruction of airborne bacteria, viruses and mould spores. It reduces airborne contaminants from a variety of sources, including toxic chemicals, particulates and microbes. It changes the air three times per hour (depending on the unit).

Close Coupled Field Technology

Air is passed through an electromagnetic field so that oxygen is excited and converted to ozone which oxidizes the biohazardous agents. The debris from this process is captured by an electrostatic filter, which is regularly changed.

i - Laboratory testing, Synergy Healthcare, data on file
ii - www.dh.gov.uk
iii - Laboratory testing, Synergy Healthcare, data on file