Anti-microbial films help tackle bacteria crisis

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News Release from: MacDermid Autotype

Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial Team on 2 January 2006

Anti-microbial films help tackle bacteria crisis

http://www.laboratorytalk.com/news/mad/mad100.html

In addition to its anti-microbial properties the film is scratch and

chemical resistant, offering a tough and durable surface, capable of

withstanding prolonged use in the most demanding environments.

Dealing with MRSA and other healthcare associated infections is a

top priority for government. It is recognised that the issue of

bacterial contamination in hospitals is fast becoming increasingly

critical. Every year infections caused by bacteria, such as MRSA and

salmonella, cost the UK economy more than £1.4 billion with the cost

of treatment and lost productivity being far greater at £120 billion.

As well as the economic consequences, the latest figures show that

9% of all UK patients contract an infection while in hospital which,

consequently, results in more people dying from hospital acquired

infections each year than in traffic accidents in the UK.

Recently, it emerged that the government is proposing legislation to

reduce infections caused by bacteria, including MRSA, in England's

hospitals and care homes.

Called The Health Improvement and Safety Bill, this new legislation

places the responsibility for hospital hygiene with staff and

management.

'Institutions that fail to meet the tough new code would be issued

with improvement orders,' announced health secretary Hewitt.

'Continued failure could lead to sanctions, including criminal

prosecution'.

However, it is not just the government that is troubled by bacterial

contamination; it is also a growing concern among health

professionals and even consumers, with 82% of people in the UK being

worried about Bacteria in hospitals.

As a result, product designers and manufacturing engineers are

becoming increasingly aware of the need to find ways of enhancing

the safety and performance of products and systems.

Indeed, they are actively seeking new materials and processes that

will enable them to create a new generation of bacteria resistant

Medical Equipment and surface coverings that will protect patients

and hospital staff alike.

One area that will play a role in helping to meet these objectives

is recent developments in plastics and film substrates.

These are typically used in the production of membrane keyboards,

graphics displays and the protective layers on exposed surfaces, for

example surface claddings.

The latest development is the launch of an anti-microbial substrate

that features built-in protection against bacterial contamination

developed jointly by MacDermid Autotype, a manufacturer of high

performance films and chemicals, and Microban International.

Called Autotex AM, this unique film substrate incorporates built-in

Microban anti-microbial protection, meaning that it inhibits the

growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mould and mildew.

In addition to its anti-microbial properties the film is scratch and

chemical resistant, offering a tough and durable surface, capable of

withstanding prolonged use in the most demanding environments.

The new substrate has been developed and designed for any surface

application, such as keyboards and fascia panels on scanners and

ward equipment, wall coverings, shelf and bench tops, where

durability and anti-microbial protection is necessary.

Thanks to an ink adhesion primer on its inner face, Autotex AM is

receptive to a wide range of standard graphic inks, making it

possible to produce anything from basic signage to photo realistic

displays.

The Microban anti-microbial technology is built into the Autotex

textured hard coat during manufacture to ensure even distribution of

the active agent throughout the texture and film surface and to

ensure that the anti-microbial properties last for as long as the

sturdy film's surface is not critically damaged.

The anti-microbial technology works by interacting with the cell

wall of micro-organisms that come into contact with the surface of

the film, disrupting key cell functions and preventing individual

bacteria from functioning, growing or reproducing.

By continuously fighting the growth of microbes, this anti-microbial

technology provides constant protection against bacterial

contamination.

Essentially, the anti-microbial protection provided by the film

contributes to improved hygiene levels in the workplace and ensures

that the film surface remains free of harmful bacteria in the

intervals between normal cleaning procedures.

Autotex AM has undergone extensive testing by one of the UK's

leading independent and accredited analytical testing bodies.

Using standard test protocols simulating real life cleaning regimes,

the film was subjected to a period representing 15 years of usage.

Tests were also carried out on a variety of different Autotex AM

samples, including unprocessed samples that were taken straight from

the production line, plus samples that were subjected to simulated

graphics printing.

In addition, film samples underwent testing to simulate extreme

surface wear; this included the texture peaks being removed using

sand paper and the surface polished using wire wool until it was

smooth.

Finally, the film samples were stretched by 20%, to simulate the

process of embossing.

The test results highlighted the excellent mechanical and physical

properties of the new film substrate and, as importantly, the anti-

microbial properties were tested against a wide range of harmful

bacteria, including MRSA, klebsiella pneumoniae, salmonella

enteritidis, listeria monocytogenes and E coli 0157; in all cases,

Autotex AM demonstrated a kill rate of more than 99%.

Although the use of this new generation of films will not eliminate

the need for general cleanliness and hygiene, they nevertheless

represent a significant evolution for hygiene critical applications

and provide proven and continual protection against the risk of

bacterial contamination.

For the first time ever, there is an anti-microbial protected, hard

coated film that eliminates various bacteria which, if not

controlled, could easily spread to other surfaces and individuals,

potentially causing infections.

As legislation and regulatory guidelines for hospital infection

control become more rigorous, the use of specific preventative

measures focusing on decreased bacterial contamination, including

anti-microbial surfaces, good practice and careful hygiene, will all

serve to increase a hospital's capacity to meet and exceed

specifications.

Gill , chief executive of the NHS Confederation, recently

said: 'We welcome the announcement of a new hygiene code.

'Everyone in the health service - managers, doctors and nurses

alike, goes into the job because they want to make a difference.

'The Health Improvement and Safety Bill should help them to do their

job better'.

Microban International is a technology and marketing company which

says it is dedicated to enhancing high quality consumer, industrial

and medical products with branded built-in protection from microbes.

Microban International licences the Microban global brand name,

sells custom-engineered compounds, and provides a range of services,

including regulatory and marketing support.

The Microban brand promises continuous and durable anti-microbial

product protection, built-in during manufacture to not wear out for

the useful life of the product.

Microban International is headquartered in New York with operations

in the United States, Europe and Asia, and sales offices worldwide.