As the colds and flu season approaches, this month’s round-up of products and services focuses on hygiene and infection control


Anti-ligature radiant heating panels
Anti-ligature radiant heating panels


HCP

Anti-ligature radiant heating panels have been installed at two PFI projects for Peterborough Hospitals by SAS international company HCP. The design of the panels reduces the opportunity for patient selfharm. Radiant heating facilitates reduced internal air temperatures, leading to lower energy consumption. The company claims that the outputs of up to 500W/m maintain patients’ comfort levels and could even encourage faster recovery times. The flat panel design makes the units easy to clean, according to HCP, reducing the risk of cross-infection associated with traditional wallmounted systems.

Invincible II is Thorn’s range of sealed luminaires for cleanrooms
Invincible II is Thorn’s range of sealed luminaires for cleanrooms

THORN

Invincible II is Thorn’s range of sealed luminaires for cleanrooms. The smooth, extruded aluminium frame is easy to clean and uses toughened safety glass to shield a prismatic diffuser or louvre. The unit is sealed to IP65 and a “selfregulating breather” prevents any air and moisture ingress. Lamps are T5 or TC-L, and emergency and dimmable versions are available.


SitexOrbis offers an infection control process using antibacterial agent Activ8
SitexOrbis offers an infection control process using antibacterial agent Activ8

SITEXORBIS

Property and security services firm SitexOrbis offers an infection control process using antibacterial agent Activ8, which it claims disinfects 99.9% of all viruses and bacteria, both airborne and on surfaces, in minutes. The process involves filling every space in a premises with a vapour of Activ8, which is harmless to humans. The list of infections it is claimed to be effective against include salmonella, MRSA, Clostridium difficile, SARS, listeria, avian flu and H5N1 influenza A type viruses. SitexOrbis offers a range of treatments to meet specific business requirements. This could take the form of regular visits or infection control in the event of outbreaks.

RADA

Shower and washroom controls specialist Rada claims its new Acu digital mixing valve for washbasins will improve hygiene standards and decrease the risk of spreading infections. The thermostatic mixing valve is spout-activated and offers programmable maximum, minimum and default temperatures, as well as duty flush and thermal disinfection capabilities, which are important for legionella control. The Acu has infrared, non-touch activation for on/off and temperature adjustment. Simple programming allows selection of timed flow control and temperatures can be pre-set in three modes – clinical, patient and surgical – or for “free use” (up to a maximum of 48C).

SANYO

Sanyo claims its Virus Washer system suppresses infections in the air through the effect of electrolysed water. The company says the resulting hypochlorous acid denatures the protein spikes on the viral cell wall, so it cannot attach to a host’s cell receptors. Sanyo says a joint research with the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences in Japan shows the system is highly effective in suppressing the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. The Virus Washer technology is available in Europe as domestic and commercial use airpurification units. The electrolyzed water is created by combining tap water with electricity without the need for any additional chemicals. According to Sanyo, the technology is at least 99% effective in suppressing infectivity for a clinical strain of the new H1N1 influenza virus. In verification testing, a suspension of the virus was exposed to electrolyzed water with a free chlorine concentration of 2mg/L for 10 minutes. Effectiveness of the virus washer technology for infectivity reduction was confirmed for the new H1N1 influenza virus, just as it had been confirmed for the seasonal influenza virus.