Technical Textiles Executive
Dartex Coatings launch MRSA killer fabric
Silver3 a truly antimicrobial fabric kills >99.9% of MRSA bacteria MRSA is a flesh eating bacteria which, like many others, has become resistant to anti-biotics and now represents a major health concern the World over.
To help in the fight against this bacteria and others such as E-Coli, Dartex Coatings have developed a new patient support surface fabric which has all the anti-decubitus (pressure sore relief) properties of their existing products and combines a lasting efficacy against MRSA and other bacteria.
By working with the World's leading wound care company, Smith & Nephew, a step change in product capability has been achieved. Silver3 has been repeatedly tested against the most recognised test, JIS Z2801, to show a log3 performance in its effectiveness against MRSA. That is, that it kills greater than 99.9% of the bacteria over 24 hours when compared to a control sample.
The fabric has silver ions available at the surface to fatally interact with any MRSA bacteria (and a plethora of other bacteria and virii). Ground breaking technology means that the silver is not leaching which leads to two important benefits, the fabric has low cytotoxicity readings and is therefore absolutely safe to patients and the efficacy is long lasting, Dartex are guaranteeing it for 4 years! Silver has been well known and documented as an effective bactericide.
The Romans used to have silver in their water carriers to keep it clean! Silver is well tolerated by mammalian cells so is seen as 'friendly' to us humans. In many ways, the expression, being born with a silver spoon in your mouth may have more to do with health, than wealth.
The benefits of something making an active contribution to reducing HAI are manyfold, first anyone who doesn't get MRSA will have considerable less pain and suffering and as many actually now die from the infection this cascades out to families and friends, money is saved on drugs which should also slow bacteria become resistant to more antibiotics, average patient stays in hospital would be reduced, meaning more cost effective, efficient use of healthcare budgets.