infection control
engineered perfectly to inhibit microbial growth
When walking through healthcare facilities, most of us are struck by the spotless, clean environment. Hidden in the air and on the surfaces are a myriad of dangerous pathogens, bacteria, and other microbes. Designers can play a part in saving patient lives by selecting non-porous Avonite in healthcare projects.
Infection control professionals focus on preventing nosocomial, or healthcare-acquired, infections. The center for Disease control (CDC) estimates that as many as 2,000,000 patients a year acquire nosocomial infections in the United States, with approximately 90,000 deaths attributed to these infections. The CDC estimates that a third of these infections are preventable and directly related to infection control cleaning techniques.
Consider the cleaning challenge confronting healthcare professional. The objective of cleaning to prevent nosocomial infections is to reduce the bioload (or viable count) of infecting microorganisms on a given surface. Disinfectants are used to kill these germs, and the disinfectants must be in contact with these microbes typically up to ten minutes to ensure elimination. This means surfaces must withstand continued exposure to disinfectants. Best-practice hospitals utilize wipes soaked in disinfectant to properly kill microbes.
Surfaces with places for microbes to hide and thrive, like tile, laminate, or granite can become a breeding ground for microorganisms causing nosocomial infections. When designers choose Avonite, they are specifying a product that is non-porous, giving microbes no place to thrive. The durability of Avonite and nonporous attributes play a key role in the infection control practices of your healthcare clients. Yes, you can even contributing in saving lives.
