The problem of so-called superbugs like MRSA and C-Diff may just be the tip of the iceberg, as health experts are warning that the death toll from antibiotic-resistant illnesses could reach 10 million a year within the next 30 years – more than the death toll from cancer and diabetes combined.
Tecomak Environmental Services are specialists in airborne disinfection, and are at the forefront when it comes to minimising the spread of healthcare-related infections in the UK. Here we look at the background to Anti-Microbial Resistance and the best ways of combating it.
Why AMR and HCAI are a Problem
Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), and the linked issue of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI), are worldwide problems. Increasingly, diseases are now proving resistant to existing antibiotics. Newer strains of pathogens are becoming more virulent and science is struggling to come up with new, more effective drugs. The elderly, the sick and hospital patients are still among those most at risk from HCAIs because they are among the most vulnerable to infection, not just to those pathogens which thrive within healthcare locations but also those brought in from outside by visitors.
What’s Being Done About It?
Health ministries across the world are already instigating several elements of strategies to deal with the significant challenges, including manuals and guidelines. The importance of hand and environmental hygiene are at the forefront of these initiatives. Many of these diseases can be spread by people touching infected surfaces.
The UK has achieved ‘significant success’ in battling HCAIs, most of which are AMR pathogens. Our record in removing the sources of these infections is better than the USA and Germany, as well as many countries with fewer healthcare facilities.
Hospital Ventilation Services from Tecomak
Tecomak Environmental Services is leading the way in this battle against the spread of AMR and HCAIs. We are highly experienced in supplying critical ventilation systems throughout hospitals and healthcare locations. We design them to offer maximum protection to staff and patients as well as allowing people to move between different areas as required. This includes containment, filtering, directional airflow control, ductwork hygiene and testing and maintenance.
As well as supplying and installing them, we also offer inspection, testing and certification services as well. We can also decontaminate them in the event of an outbreak.
Phileas Airborne Disinfection Units from Tecomak
Phileas products are among the most effective in helping reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections, according to a report prepared by environmental decontamination consultant John Curtin.
Tecomak Environmental Services now use a whole range of Phileas products, including the Phileas 250 airborne disinfection unit. This robust, high-powered unit can be programmed to clean surfaces remotely, and, thanks to its wheels, can cope with a wide range of volumes (from 50m3 to 600m3).
We also use the Phileas Genius unit, which can also be operated remotely but which specialises in disinfecting very small surfaces. Its rotating head and height-adjustable foot mean it can easily be inserted into biosafety cabinets, freeze dryers, isolators and a number of other devices found in healthcare locations.
The most important benefit of these products is of course potentially saving lives. In addition, they are highly cost-effective, because they cut down on the cost of additional treatment needed if the patient contracts an HCAI.
If you would like to know more about the hospital ventilation services offered by Tecomak, and how we can supply and install the Phileas product range, follow this link or call us on 01732 852250.
