Role of nonwovens materials in combating nosocomial infections
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Professor Stephen
J.Russell, Director, Nonwovens Research Group, University of
Leeds, UK wrote a paper on Role of Nonwoven Materials in
Combating Nosocomial Infections. The paper was presented by
Dr. Tahir Shah. Ed HRS. |
The infections that occur during hospitalization but are
neither present nor incubating upon hospital admission are
called Nasocomial infections. Also called ‘Hospital Acquired
Infections’ (HAI).
Nosocomial infections delay discharge from hospitals,
patients suffer additional cost, emotional strain and extra work
is done by the staff of the hospital increasing healthcare and
pharmaceutical budget.
Common types of these infections are Endogenous flora
infections which amount to 50%, whereas 35% infections are
transferred from staff and other patients, whereas, Exogenous
flora infections amount to 15% of the total infections.
Common causes of HAI are MSRA, E-Coli, Clostridium (c.)
Difficile, Norovirus, Mycobacterium T.B, Acinetobacter Baumannii,
Salmonella, etc. In order to control HAI, target delivery of
disinfectants on contaminated surfaces is required.
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Single use nonwovens will be prefered
as new infection control standards
come into force. |
Functions of nonwoven materials in
controlling HAI
Nonwovens materials are better than woven materials, because
the latter cannot be disinfected. It is essentials to select
most suitable disinfectant for wipe lotion. Wet cleaning and
dry cleaning mechanisms and Dirt Removal capacity (DRC) of wipes
is important. In this context nonwovens wipe structure
influences particle removal. Hydroentangled and Hydrospace
fabrics manufactured from 100% viscose rayon are mostly used in
this application. Disinfectant delivery rate and Jet pressure
must be controlled. Forming and filling of internal channels
with in Hydrospace fabrics must be achieved as per the
requirement of the end users.
According to EDANA, new standard EN 13795 recently introduced
in Europe to ensure performance of surgical drapes, gowns and
PPE will encourage the production and development of nonwovens,
as conventional linen drapes and gowns will not meet this
standard. Furthermore, single use nonwoven materials do meet the
standard and are required to be certified by manufacturer.
To safeguard public health, nosocominal infection rates need
to be reduced – these are subject to significant variation
between countries. Besides, certain organisms do not respond to
antibiotics and protective measure and prevention of these
infection is much better alternative. Single-use nonwovens play
a major role in decontamination, sterilisation, disinfection,
clean air provision and personal protection as well as acting as
barriers to HAI transmission. The Research and development in
nonwoven materials seeks to improve the efficacy of products to
reduce the incidence of HAI’s.
Two important areas of development are targeted delivery of
disinfectants onto contaminated surfaces and self-cleaning
surfaces to prevent HAI transmission in hospital & healthcare
establishments.
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