Novel material keeps itself germ-free
scientists have developed a novel weapon in the battle against deadly hospital-acquired infections – a textile that disinfects itself.
Tests show it can reduce bacteria levels by more than 90 per cent.
By incorporating the specially-engineered textile in a device designed to be used on hospital doors instead of the traditional aluminium door plate, the part of the door that people push to open it, they aim to bolster hand hygiene.
The self-disinfecting device – known as Surfaceskins – has been developed by a spin out company from the University of Leeds and is the culmination of seven years research and development.
Hospital doors are recognised as a key weak link in hygiene because of the number of times people touch them.
It takes just one person with dirty hands to pass through a door to put everyone else who follows at risk of cross contamination.
Surfaceskins antibacterial door pads work by dispensing a small quantity of alcohol gel onto the pad when it is pushed, to disinfect the surface ready for the next person to use the door.
provided by www.leeds.ac.uk
