[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1586488662044{margin-bottom: 30px !important;padding-top: 50px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Available Solutions for Soft Surface Bacterial Management” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23111111″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]A variety of technologies have been developed over the last few decades to add antimicrobial properties to soft surface textiles. Since EPA has not approved these products under their “public health” regulations to date, one will not see claims that the antimicrobial soft service textiles decreases healthcare associated infections. To be approved under EPAs “non-public health” regulations, these manufacturers have proven to:
- decrease microbial growth on the fabrics
- reduce degradation of the fabric over time
- control odour
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Examples of some of the antimicrobial technologies available on soft surface textiles include:” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
- Silane-based quaternary ammonium chloride antimicrobial. Technology uses the coupling agent silane to attach the quaternary ammonium chloride to fibres. It has been added to a variety of fabrics including scrubs and lab coats.
- Chemical combinations – Multiple technologies using as many as 20 different chemicals in a variety of arrangements have been added to fabrics as antimicrobials.
- Copper Products – Historically, copper has been shown to be antimicrobial. It is currently found in many homes as well as medical products.
- Silver Products
- Silver Zeolite is a crystal based powder that is added as a coating, resin or additive to fibres. Silver is embedded within micron-sized carriers called zeolite and then encapsulated in the polyurethane surface of fabrics.
- Silver nano technology releases the antimicrobial silver ions in a steady rate from the fabrics.
- Metallic Silver is bonded to the surface of nylon fibres permanently. No silver ions are released into the environment.
- The fabrics that use conductive materials such as copper and silver help with temperature control as well.
- Healthcare workers wearing these materials tend to feel cooler in hot temperatures and warmer in cool temperatures.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1586488702322{margin-bottom: 30px !important;padding-top: 50px !important;background-color: #f5f8fb !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Silver as an Antimicrobial” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23111111″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]The antimicrobial properties of silver have been known to cultures around the world for many centuries. The Phoenicians stored water and other liquids in silver coated bottles to discourage contamination by microbes. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, noted in the 4th century BC that silver had beneficial healing and anti-disease properties. Dairy men placed silver dollars into milk buckets to keep milk fresh. Some believe the definition of the phrase ‘born with a silver spoon in your mouth’ came from the middle ages when wealthy children were fed with silver spoons and observed to get sick less often and more apt to live to adulthood. Water tanks of ships and airplanes that are “silvered” are able to render water portably for months. In the 1880’s it became a common practice to administer drops of aqueous silver nitrate to new-born’s eyes to prevent the transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoea from infected mothers to children during childbirth.
Once antibiotics were discovered, the use of silver as a bactericidal agent decreased. However, with the discovery of antibiotics came the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains such as MRSA. Due to increasing antibiotic resistance, there has been a renewed interest in using silver as an antibacterial agent.
Although, the antimicrobial mechanism of silver has been known for centuries, we have only recently begun to understand the mechanisms by which silver inhibits bacterial growth. In order for silver to have any antimicrobial properties, it must be in its ionized form. Silver in its non-ionized form is inert, but contact with moisture leads to the release of silver ions. The antimicrobial mechanism of silver is not completely understood it is thought to interact with the bacterial peptidoglycan layer, form pits in the cell wall, change membrane polarity, form free radicals that damage the membrane, or a combination of these effects. Silver does not act via cell receptors therefore there is no immune response and thus no antibacterial resistance. Because of these antimicrobial properties, silver technology today has been incorporated into surgical instruments, catheters, hospital wound dressings, and a wide variety of consumer products, such as washing machines, food storage containers, bandages, water tanks, refrigerators and clothing.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”The Right Solution” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Silverguard powered by X-STATIC® antimicrobial technology, produced by Noble Biomaterials, Inc., has been used in a variety of textiles for its antimicrobial properties since 1999. It is used by NASA, the United States Military and Olympic athletes. The technology has also been used in products for treating wounds and burns more than seven years by brands such as KCI and Systagenix.
Silverguard powered by X-STATIC® technology uses pure metallic silver permanently bonded as a thin uniform coating on the surface of a flexible polymer. It does not change the properties of the underlying material. The antimicrobial properties are inherent in the fabric and active for the life of the product. Within one hour of contact of the fabric, 99.9% of the bacterial and fungal organisms will be reduced. With this technology, no metallic silver is released – only silver ions. These silver ions continuously release throughout the life of the product, naturally inhibiting and reducing contamination. Because X-STATIC’s silver is woven directly into the product, patient and staff compliance issues are eliminated.
In a clinical trial conducted in the UK, on the “See it SAFE” line of products powered by X-STATIC, “66.7% of patients in the silver fabric active group eradicated MRSA while 0% eradicated MRSA in the control group. The use of “See it SAFE” X-STATIC fabric is superior to current eradication protocols against heavily contaminated patients”. In another study of privacy curtains powered by X-STATIC, at QMC Hospital in the U.K. in 2008, it revealed “MRSA Contamination was found in 63% fewer silver-impregnated curtains than in control curtains.”
Silverguard powered by X-STATIC® is currently available in healthcare for environmental isolation, lab coats and support surfaces such as privacy curtains, scrubs, bed linens and cubicle curtains. Please visit www.InfectionPreventionTextiles.com for more information.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]There is a void in our everyday infection prevention practices. With healthcare associated infections causing nearly 100,000 deaths annually and costing the healthcare system 6.5 billion dollars, we simply can not afford to ignore soft surface bacterial management in the IP bundle. We need to think about strategies to reduce the potential transfer of bacteria from soft surfaces to patients. The most intuitive, common sense strategy is to wash hands after pulling the curtain and before touching the patient. Another strategy is frequent disinfecting, but this would involve more chemicals and the possibility of creating microbial resistant fabrics. Laundering alone is clearly not the answer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1586488662044{margin-bottom: 30px !important;padding-top: 50px !important;background-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Silverguard powered by X-static” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23111111″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1586489960224{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#eb4947″][vc_custom_heading text=”Service Description” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23111111″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#eb4947″ css=”.vc_custom_1586490063593{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Healthcare Frail Care Palliative Care” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left|color:%23eb4947″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Silverguard powered by X-Static. Infection prevention silver antimicrobial textiles Offering the perfect antimicrobial solution to the healthcare sector. Silverguard textiles cover the full range of soft touch surfaces in the hospital environment.
Products: Mattress Protectors, Bedlinen, Privacy curtains, Scrubs, Surgical gown[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Retail” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left|color:%23eb4947″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Newly launched into pharmacy and podiatry practices, Silverguard Diabetic socks have created great interest in this sector.
Products: Available in three styles and 2 basic colours for the initial launch, more styles and colours will be added to the range.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Leisure” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left|color:%23eb4947″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Silverguard sports socks with X-Static. Perfect for athletes because of the anti-odour properties of silver. Keep your feet cool in summer and warm in winter.
Products: Sport socks.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Hospitality” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left|color:%23eb4947″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Because of the anti- bacterial properties of silver, Silverguard powered by X-Static offers a perfect, cost effective solution to many of the hygiene problems the hospitality sector faces. Bed bugs and dust mite are eliminated. The properties of silver eliminates odour causing bacteria and fungi.
Products: Mattress protector, Bed linen.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#eb4947″][vc_custom_heading text=”Properties Advantages” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23111111″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”3″ accent_color=”#eb4947″ css=”.vc_custom_1586490063593{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Silverguard product range covers mostly all soft surfaces not only in the healthcare but in the hospitality, leisure, transport and consumer market environments.
Active fabrics powered by X-STATIC provide permanent and continuous protection from microbial contamination on scrubs & patient gowns, lab coats, bedding, mattress covers, garments, footwear, privacy curtains and many other hospitality, leisure and consumer products without the need for behaviour medication.
In summary herewith are some of the salient unique properties & advantages of Silverguard.
- Antimicrobial
- 3-log reduction in bacteria with 4 hours
- Eliminates odour causing bacteria
- Deodorizes
- Eliminates dust mite and bed bugs
- Thermal Regulator
- Keeps one warm in winter and cool in summer
- Anti-Static
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