Noble Biomaterials, the manufacturer of X-STATIC antimicrobial technology, has announced a call for research proposals to generate hard evidence supporting the need for soft surface bacterial management in healthcare settings.
The call for proposals comes after newly released recommendations from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) shed light on the issue of contaminated healthcare personnel apparel in the hospital environment.
Noble Biomaterials Marketing vice president Karin Mueller noted the company's vision to be the premier provider of bacterial management solutions for healthcare includes supporting the industry to generate the evidence-based practice it needs.
"We expect our infection prevention partners to hold us to that standard and we're equipped to meet and exceed those expectations," Mueller added.
There are numerous studies proving healthcare fabrics such as privacy curtains, lab coats, scrubs and linens, are contaminated with dangerous bacteria and that contamination occurs quickly after laundering. However, the SHEA Expert guidance describes certain research gaps needed to drive facilities to address this issue.
Noble pledges to support two such areas: the role attire (and additional healthcare fabrics) plays in the transmission of pathogens and its impact on healthcare associated infections (HAIs), as well as the impact of antimicrobial fabrics on the level of bacteria associated with those fabrics and a cost/benefit analysis of using these as a permanent solution.
X-STATIC is an EPA registered, silver based antimicrobial solution proven to reduce 99.9% of bacteria on the surface of fabrics within one hour. Products powered by X-STATIC are protected by a layer of 99.9% pure metallic silver.
The silver is bonded with textile fibers through a proprietary process and woven into finished products to create an ionic shield that inhibits the growth of bacteria on the surface of the fabric. It provides permanent protection between launderings, lasts the life of the product and since the antimicrobial is inherent in the fabric, it does not require modification in staff behavior.
X-STATIC has undergone extensive safety testing and is used by Olympic athletes, elite military forces, NASA astronauts and many of the world's premier consumer brands.
