MRSA strains have been identified as a major source of Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and outbreaks across the world. For over four decades, MRSA has presented a challenge for infection control departments of hospitals attempting to control and eradicate this organism. Even enterococcus species are considered as the second-most common group of pathogens across all HAI types, and the single-most common group of pathogens among central line-associated infections. In 2019, the CDC identified CRE as an urgent public health threat which requires urgent and aggressive action. The CDC reports that up to half of all infections caused by CRE result in death.
Thermaissance’s technology remains active 24/7, working to inhibit viral, bacterial, and fungal growth on the surface of the textiles. When coronavirus comes in contact with the surface of Thermaissance fabric, Thermaissance’s proprietary nanotechnology penetrates the virus membrane, and ruptures it, thus hindering its ability to thrive. In a similar way, the bacteria’s membrane is disrupted and eventually these bacteria get killed. Thermaissance fabric’s antiviral effect against coronavirus is certified with ISO 18184, while the antibacterial effect is certified with JIS L 1902:2015. These proven tests were conducted at ISO 17025 accredited facilities and have shown the antibacterial efficacy of Thermaissance products to be 99.99% for MRSA (ATCC #43300), VRE (ATCC #51299), CRE (ATCC BAA 1705), Klebsiella (ATCC #4352) and Staphylococcus (ATCC #6538). Using such self-disinfecting fabrics, Thermaissance currently manufactures various medical textiles such as medical scrubs, lab coats, head covers, patient gowns, masks, and gloves. Thermaissance also has fluid repellent scrubs to provide further protection to healthcare workers against various fluids.
Various studies have demonstrated contamination of healthcare clothing (scrubs, white coats, head covers) with various disease-causing pathogens. The healthcare workers are frequently exposed to blood and various body fluids. Various studies have already shown that these fluids can transmit bacteria that cause colonization or infection, including Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), VRE, CRE, Enterobacteriaceae (e.g. Klebsiella pneumoniae). In one study, about 60% of hospital staff uniforms were culture positive for MDROs. Even Healthcare Workers who work in non-traditional settings, such as clinics, ambulatory, and community settings, may also be at increased risk of occupational exposure to infemicro-organisms.
Various studies have also established that the healthcare clothing is a vehicle for cross-contamination and transmission of MDROs to patients, co-workers, and other healthcare staff. Such soft surfaces (medical fabrics) make an important contribution to the epidemic and endemic transmission of MRSA, VRE, CRE, norovirus, etc. These pathogens survive and persist for extended periods despite attempts to disinfect or remove them.
But do the laundered medical textiles also carry the risk of infections?
Manish Raval, Founder & CEO of Thermaissance, replied, “While the industry laundering of Healthcare worker’s apparels produce nearly sterile garments, post-laundering practices (e.g. sorting, folding, and stacking) can easily re-contaminate clean laundry. Further, laundered medical textiles, though might be sterile, bacterial recontamination of these apparels will occur within hours of wearing such newly laundered apparels. In fact, a study has already shown that within a few hours of use, the 100% of nurses laundered gown were already contaminated with various pathogens. Hence, healthcare clothing that is continuously self-sanitizing and killing various pathogens, be it viruses, bacteria or fungi, is important in healthcare settings.”
“Back in 2007, Jannine Jagger, at University of Virginia Health System, had said that the measures for protecting Healthcare Workers (HCWs) from the life-threatening risk of pathogen infection should be viewed as essential everywhere and should be included in the national health priorities of all nations. All of us benefit from protecting their lives and health. Thermaissance’s anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal textile materials for medical and healthcare applications can prove to be useful in reducing the risks of such pathogen infections among healthcare workers,” said Hemali Sangani, Co-Founder at Thermaissance.
Given that at least 17,000 healthcare workers have already died worldwide from covid-19 infections, Thermaissance’s unique technology can contribute in saving lives of healthcare professionals.
Website - https://thermaissance.com
