A pioneering initiative by Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, looking at a means of reducing the occurrence of hospital born infections, has included a trial of Dulux Trade Sterishield.
Recognising the bacteriostatic effect silver has on the growth of bacteria such as MRSA, Heartlands has redecorated their Research and Development Clinical Trials Department using materials that have been treated with a silver bactericide.
Different areas of the department have been designed using various finishes, some with or without the silver additive and it is hoped that the trial will demonstrate a comparable reduction in sustained bacteria growth on the surfaces that have been treated.
As part of the redecoration, walls were painted using Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt finish. Sterishield is a washable emulsion that contains a non-hazardous active silver bactericide. Trials already carried out by Dulux Trade have shown that the product dramatically accelerates the decline of bacterial populations within 12 hours of contamination. This is a demonstrable improvement over standard paint where bacteria can survive 48 hours or longer.
Robert Davey, project manager at Heartlands Estates Department, said "There are a number of hygiene paints on the market but we were particularly interested in Sterishield as we made a conscious decision to use only silver-based bactericides, due to their non-organic properties. Bacteria have a tremendous ability to adapt to substances and mutate, but a material like silver with a non-specific mode of action reduces the likelihood of associated resistance developing."
Available in highly durable Diamond Matt or Quick Drying Eggshell finishes, Sterishield withstands repeated cleaning cycles and washing or scrubbing further stimulates its anti-bacterial properties. Sterishield benefits from the same aesthetic properties as traditional paint and can be tinted in over 10,000 colours - so playing an integral part in hospital hygiene strategies without compromising colour choice or finish. Delivering excellent value for money, Sterishield is quick and easy to apply and demonstrates superior spreading rates than competitive products.
Regular swabbing of the department has now begun, and if proved successful the materials will be rolled out across the hospital as part of the normal maintenance and redecoration programme.
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