Emma Segelov, Marketing Manager for MK Electric highlights the importance of taking a diligent approach when specifying electrical accessories in healthcare environments.
Following frequent media headlines around the cleanliness of United Kingdom (U.K.) hospitals and the danger of deadly infections, the importance of specifying anti-bacterial devices has never been greater. However, not all products are the same, which is why it is so important for contractors to take a diligent approach when specifying electrical accessories in the healthcare arena.
Although the Department of Health has made important progress in raising the profile in NHS trusts of the control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs), the reality is that figures are still disturbingly high. According to a recent report, nearly one-in-ten patients pick up an infection during their stay in hospital, and a staggering 5,000 die each year as a direct result. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the most common hospital-acquired bacterium, is believed to be responsible in many cases.
In fact, in June 2016 a Birmingham hospital was forced to cancel 200 non-emergency operations while its air filtration system and operation theatres were being sanitized following a serious infection scare. And this is just one of a number of recent incidences of HCAIs. As a result, the government enhanced scrutiny on U.K. hospitals and other healthcare institutions to take greater strides to stop illnesses from spreading between patients. And although most of this, obviously, centers on a robust cleaning regime, the use of anti-bacterial electrical products also has a part to play.
Anti-bacterial Accessories
In terms of wiring accessories, a solid recommendation is MK’s Logic Plus range. The range is produced using urea formaldehyde; a high-grade thermoset material that has similar inherent properties to antimicrobial additives, which inhibits the growth of infectious diseases such as MRSA, E. coli, salmonella and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this way, with the anti-bacterial property being inherent in the actual compound of the product, Logic Plus is incredibly effective at killing dangerous bacteria. An independent laboratory test MK Electric previously ran shows a kill rate of 99.9% against MRSA and a kill rate of 98.9% against Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, the range is scratch-free thanks to high-quality mould tools, meaning there are no dirt traps for the bacteria to spread – another way of optimizing precautionary levels.
For a complete anti-bacterial solution, MK Electric’s Prestige 3D Antibac Blue has been specifically designed to complement Logic Plus, helping to kill bacteria, which can grow on surfaces such as trunking systems. It uses a silver-based additive within the PVC-u pipes, which acts as an effective weapon in eradicating the bacteria, rather than just restricting its growth.
Again, as the additive is homogenous with the PVC-u compound, the protection runs throughout; in this way, there is no loss of effectiveness where the trunking lengths are cut on-site or if the surface becomes scuffed or scratched. The result, as verified by a separate independent test, is a 99.9% kill rate on both MRSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
As both trunking and wiring devices are both open to human contact, the risk of infection spread is great and must, therefore, be controlled. By taking advantage of the latest solutions, such as Logic Plus and Prestige 3D Antibac Blue, installers can ensure a total anti-bacterial solution; optimizing safety and peace of mind for their customers while helping to raise standards for the greater good.
