The UK is now reporting the lowest rates of MRSA in its NHS hospitals since 2001.
However, despite UK hospitals leading the way in the global fight against Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI), the costs to the country are still estimated to be in the region of £1 billion a year.
Denny Bros, is now able to add antimicrobial protection to its range of labelling features. The antibacterial additive can be applied as a floodcoat to its multi-page labels, wet peels labels, linerless labels, single ply labels and Patient Information Leaflets (PILs). This newly available feature has a much broader scope of protection than found in those with antibacterial properties, and will lead the fight against HCAIs.
Key information to be held on its multi-page labels can include medication instructions in multiple languages, safety messages, dosage details and legal information. Labelling applications range from containers, vials and even syringes, where despite the often small available surface a large amount of text, graphs and pictograms can be easily incorporated. These labels are ideal for providing detailed medical information as they are securely attached to the product and cannot be lost.
Denny Bros’ marketing director, Stephen Jarrold, said: “We are confident that we can help raise the hygiene standards for pharmaceutical manufacturers and even food producers with our new feature of antimicrobial protection. We support, wholeheartedly, the objectives of the NHS to improve infection prevention and control in healthcare provision in the UK. Our labels have proven credentials due to the tests carried out on the incorporation of the antimicrobial properties in the varnish and who knows – Denny Bros’ labels may help reduce overall NHS costs too.”
As bacteria can be carried both on personnel and equipment, it is in the healthcare providers’ interests to limit the possible transfer of any bacteria from containers to medical staff or directly to patients. Denny Bros, already a leading printed label supplier to the pharmaceutical industry, has now introduced this new feature to help limit the emergence and spread of superbugs such as MRSA, E-coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Legionella.
The introduction of antimicrobial properties (which is claimed to be 99.9% effective) into the varnish of its labels and leaflets will mean that the company has products offering high levels of protection from unwanted bacteria. This feature can severely inhibit the growth of microorganisms, fungi or mould.
The antimicrobial properties contain silver to create additives for use in almost any material where hygiene, performance or aesthetics are important. All of the active components in these antimicrobial properties are approved by the EFSA and FDA and supported on the Biocidal Product Regulations.
The longevity of antimicrobial protection from Denny Bros’ printed products is assured, as once it has been incorporated into a material it is there to stay. It is even unaffected by cleaning chemicals such as chlorine bleach, disinfectants and alcohol. This new development means that the company is now able to supply microbial safe printed products.
Other key features of Denny Bros’ products include anti-tamper and anti-counterfeiting properties which are also crucial in the fight to improve patient safety.
