Hygiene-critical environments often include high traffic and multiple high-touch surfaces. Over the course of a given day, it is unreasonable to believe that all of the surfaces and equipment used in these sensitive environments are properly cleaned and disinfected regularly. We know from research and recent news that these lapses in cleanliness can have a critical impact.
Examples of Hygiene-Critical Environments
Food Service
The impact of bacteria in food contact environments has been well-documented in recent news, as food recalls continue to be a growing concern. Even as new food safety regulations are implemented around the globe in an attempt to avoid issues of cross-contamination, manufacturers of products for the industry should be looking for innovative, proactive methods to improve cleanliness. Leaders in innovation for the industry are considering built-in antimicrobial protection to enhance what is already being done well.
Healthcare
In healthcare environments, new hospital disinfection research indicates that you are 5-6 times more likely to get an infection if the patient in the space before you had an infection. There is ongoing research in healthcare aimed at clarifying the role of the environment in Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI). Many academic researchers, infection control professionals and even the Centers for Disease Control, recognize that the patient environment plays a critical role in HAI acquisition and transmission. The products and equipment used in the patient environment can also impact overall cleanliness, for better or worse.
Education
In educational settings, research shows that the cleanliness of the environment impacts students' academic achievements, with 88% of students indicating that a lack of cleanliness is a distraction. The increased use of self-serve tools and shared learning spaces further complicates implementation of already challenging cleaning protocols. Facility managers in education are now tasked with selecting the products and equipment that help maintain a cleaner environment for learning.
Transportation
In recent news we have learned that products and equipment in transportation environments, though not typically considered hygiene-critical, harbor harmful bacteria. As the transportation industry continues to evolve and exposure to bacteria grows as an issue globally when traveling, more focus is being given to discovering innovative methods to manage cleanliness. Public transportation, vehicles used in car-sharing and vertical transportation all pose cleanliness challenges that can be addressed with built-in antimicrobial protection.
Create Cleaner Environments with Antimicrobial Product Protection
With all of this information in mind, decision-makers responsible for these critical environments are seeking solutions and added protection that help prevent issues before they start. Products and equipment featuring Microban® built-in antimicrobial protection are an important part of a systems approach to keeping these environments cleaner. Because Microban® technologies are added to products at the point of manufacture, they will not wash off or wear away and continue working for the life of the product, providing continuous protection against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
In addition, recognizing that hygiene-critical environments are also highly regulated, Microban's portfolio of technologies are registered with the EPA in the US and compliant with the BPR in Europe, specifically for these types of uses. Microban International offers partners a suite of services, including technical, legal and regulatory support to help ensure successful inclusion of the technologies within required regulatory standards.
Join leading manufacturers in these key industries in developing innovative products that solve problems for the industries you serve. Contact us today to learn more about Microban® antimicrobial solutions for hygiene-critical environments.
