When you visualize a hospital or doctor’s office, you likely imagine a clean and sterile environment that manages germs and illnesses. While healthcare facilities are routinely cleaned and sterilized, pathogens still manage to silently spread and multiply on all types of surfaces. These pathogens and bacteria lead to healthcare associated infections (HAIs) that attribute to over 100,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. Microban® antimicrobial cleaners and antimicrobial agents have been specifically designed for healthcare facilities that treat catheters, dressings, and equipment and kill 99.9% of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Even after repeated contamination, these antimicrobial agents will fight against bacteria and germs.
Let’s explore some examples of antimicrobials that Microban uses to protect healthcare facilities from bacteria and decrease the probability of microbial growth.
Antimicrobial Agents for Catheter Product Protection
HAI’s in patients are often attributed to the use of catheters, such as Urinary Foley Catheters, because of the biofilm incrustation and propagation that happens during their use. As such, healthcare providers are being continuously challenged to make improvements in patient health while reducing the risk of infection.
Because of the increased interest in antimicrobial cleaners, agents, and coatings for healthcare facilities, the Microban product development team has carefully engineered long-lasting antimicrobial agents for catheter product protection.
Microban utilizes a thin-film polymer coating, called Parylene, to protect a number of devices and components in healthcare facilities. By combining the Parylene with Microban antimicrobial agents, Microban effectively combats harmful microbes that are found on catheter coatings and medical devices.
Built-in antimicrobial agents for healthcare facilities, like those found in catheter coatings, are able to lower the rate of HAI’s in patients that can be attributed to biofilm incrustation and propagation that occurs during use.
Examples of Antimicrobials for Dental Trays
Microban protects dental trays using antimicrobial agents, like ZPTech® and SilverShield®. Because dental trays can be polymer-based, the antimicrobial agents can be infused into the dental trays during the manufacturing process, ensuring that trays control and fight bacteria growth throughout the product’s lifetime.
These examples of antimicrobials with silver and zinc bases provide healthcare products with maximum protection and ensure material compatibility. Beyond protecting products, these antimicrobial agents are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as safe to use in a variety of applications, including those that come into contact with food.
Microban Partnerships in Healthcare: Collaborating for Advanced Antimicrobial Solutions
Microban works closely with medical companies to develop advanced antimicrobial solutions that improve cleanliness in healthcare settings. These collaborations integrate Microban's innovative technologies into medical devices, equipment, and facilities, helping to protect treated surfaces against bacteria and reducing microbial growth
Bed sore prevention systems:
Innovation: Service Med, part of the MedicAir Group, is partnered with Microban International to offer antibacterial bed sore prevention systems. The product is purposefully designed to alleviate pressure on ulcers, using high-tech electric compressors to redistribute air pockets in the mattress.
Benefits: Microban antibacterial technology is built into the systems' air compressor case and oxygen cylinder covers, providing an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth 24/7. The result is a product that stays hygienically cleaner between cleaning and offering peace of mind for healthcare professionals, patients, and their families.
Commode and bedpan liners:
Innovation: Sani-Bag+® is the healthcare industry's most sanitary, safe, and environmentally friendly commode or bedpan liner. Cleanwaste Medical added Microban antimicrobial product protection to their waste bags to protect them from the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria that can grow on the product's surface—enhancing the value of the products even more.
Benefits: Microban antimicrobial technology helps to protect the commode and bedpan liners from the growth of odor-causing bacteria and complements Cleanwaste Medical’s proprietary formulation of deodorizing technology and NASA-developed absorbent gel polymer to create waste management solutions that are cleaner and more discreet.
Medical privacy curtains:
Innovation: Summit Medical has incorporated proven Microban antibacterial product protection into its MARLUX recyclable privacy curtains, aiming to address the persistent bacterial growth issue on high-touch surfaces in healthcare facilities.
Benefits: This integration ensures 24/7 protection of the treated curtains against bacterial growth, extending beyond standard disinfection routines. This means that healthcare providers benefit from improved product cleanliness and increased curtain durability, which creates a cleaner environment for both patients and staff.
Elevate Your Medical Products: Partner with Microban for Enhanced Performance
With your consumer's health at the top of your priorities, antimicrobial agents are key to combating disease-causing pathogens that ultimately lead to HAIs.
Contact us today if you want to discover additional examples of antimicrobials and learn more about how Microban technologies can protect your products from microbes.
