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TECHN I CAL DATA
ANT I - M I CROB I A L
Crabtree wiring accessories prefixed with AM have all been independently tested to BS ISO 22196:2007, which is for
the measurement of antibacterial activity on plastic surfaces.
Crabtree use Biocote technology which has undergone 25 years life cycle testing.
The Heartlands study showed a 94.5% reduction in bacteria on Crabtree products as opposed to other untreated
switches / sockets.
BIOCOTE REDUCES BACTERIA LEVELS BY OVER 95% IN WARD AT HEARTLANDS HOSPITAL
The first ever study to investigate the effectiveness of silver at reducing levels of bacteria in an environment has
published its initial findings. The environmental trial compares two out-patient wards in the Heart of England NHS
Foundation Trust, one at Heartlands Hospital, containing furniture and equipment with BioCote ® antimicrobial
protection and one containing standard, untreated items.
BioCote ® protected products contain silver, a natural antimicrobial, with a high
Efficacy against bacteria, mould and fungi. When micro-organisms come into contact with the silver, their ability to
reproduce is inhibited and they die.
Results from the trials show that
the facility at Heartlands, which contained BioCote ® protected products had
95.8% less bacteria present in the environment, than the standard ward with no BioCote ® present.
The
products tested in the trials included waste bins, blinds, tiles, door handles and light switches.
Initial indications show that using silver-based products in a hospital environment can lead to a reduction in bacterial
colonisation, resulting in a more hygienic environment for patients. With fewer bacteria in the environment, it is logical
that the risks of cross contamination are reduced and consequently the risks of patients being infected with
“superbugs” such as MRSA are reduced.
In addition, the results showed that
within the facility at Heartlands, furniture and equipment with BioCote ®
protection harboured 92.6% less bacteria than those without protection.
These results prove that silver can
complement cleaning and hygiene practices, working in-between cleans to reduce levels of bacteria on BioCote ®
protected equipment.
The study also showed that BioCote ® protected products can help reduce bacteria counts on unprotected product s
within their vicinity, thus reducing the overall levels of bacteria in the complete environment.
Standard equipment
and furniture which were in the ward alongside BioCote ® protected products saw a 43.5% reduction in
bacteria on their surfaces, than standard products in the ward without Biocote ® .
The collaboration between the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and BioCote Ltd began in May 2006, when
Heartlands Hospital was the first in the UK to equip an out-patient facility with furniture and equipment that had
BioCote antimicrobial protection. As soon as the facility had been in use for 12 months, tests began to compare the
products with and without BioCote ® protection and also to compare the facility to a similar ward which only contains
standard hospital equipment.
To make the study as consistent as possible, both environments were out-patient wards with a similar through-flow of
patients. All testing was carried out at an independent laboratory. The study has concentrated on bacteria counts on
the surface of objects, in the form of Total viable count and does not identify actual organisms at this stage.
The Managing Director at BioCote Ltd comments, “We believe that this initial study in conjunction with the NHS helps
to justify the use of BioCote ® protected products. These initial findings indicate that the NHS should be increasing their
use of BioCote ® protected products to help support hygiene practices within healthcare environments, leading to
reduced HCAI rates”.
With NHS Trusts facing increased pressure from The Healthcare Commission to improve hygiene standards, BioCote ®
protected products can complement cleaning and hand hygiene practices by lowering bacteria counts in ward
environments.
CRABTREE ANTI MICROBIAL
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