SELECT OUR OTHER WEBSITES SELECT MARKET CONTACT US SYMBOLS GLOSSARY SEARCH Go to startpage Our knowledge Current: How to fight infections ARTICLE How to fight infections The key to fighting infection has been found to be intensive infection control and surveillance routines 1 coupled with the use of the right solutions. Pathogenic agents More than 1.4 million people at any given time suffer from healthcare associated infections, HCAIs 2 , and the financial impact and unnecessary patient suffering is severe. As many as 1 in 11 patients become infected worldwide 3 and it can be a potentially life-threatening condition. In Europe the cost of HAI average to 7 billion EUR annually 4 . How to prevent SSIs and HAIs? To be successful in infection prevention as well as protecting against SSIs and HAIs, safety procedures and routines need to be put into place. A study on the efficacy of nosocomial chemotherapy (SENIC) found that intensive infection control and surveillance routines resulted in a 32 percent reduction in infection rates over a five-year period 1 . The key is implementing routines on many levels and using the right products and solutions. Importance of skin preparation Knowing the rates of SSIs Leadership within organisations Choosing the right products and solutions surgical solutions staff protection health economics infection prevention article Importance of skin preparation Skin preparation is of the utmost importance in the prevention of SSIs. The recommendation is to use a 2-percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70-percent isopropyl alcohol solution to decolonise the skin prior to surgery. This is based on a substantial body of evidence suggesting that this is the optimal agent for pre-surgical skin antisepsis 5 . Evidence suggests that it is the patient’s own skin that is the source of most of the pathogens involved in SSIs 6 . Therefore, to have a greater focus on skin antisepsis may lead to a large impact on infection rates. Knowing the rates of SSIs Studies have demonstrated that the incidence of SSIs varies widely between hospitals and between surgical procedures 7 . Surgical teams that know their SSI rates can undertake measures to reduce them. This can be achieved through the implementation of basic, relatively inexpensive infection-prevention measures 8 . Using the right products and solutions for optimal protection At Mölnlycke Health Care we take great pride in creating the safest possible surgical single-use solutions for the security of both patients and clinicians. Infection prevention is at the core of everything we do and we are continuously developing new products and solutions to provide even better staff and patient protection. Choosing the right products is an essential component in sustaining and developing successful infection control. Biogel® – surgical gloves Biogel has a superior puncture indication system for enhanced safety. Up to 97 percent of glove punctures are detected with the Biogel puncture indication system. This is a security feature that helps to minimise the risk for both patient and health care professionals from blood-borne pathogens, including HIV and hepatitis viruses. Overall, Biogel surgical gloves have the best Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for freedom from holes on the market 8 . Double gloving has been found to reduce surgical cross-infection between staff and patients 8 . Double gloving is recommended by US AORN (Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses) and the RCS (Royal College of Surgeons of England). Studies have shown that the detection of perforation during surgery was a worryingly low 37 percent with single gloves compared to 87 percent with a Biogel puncture indication system. Adding a second pair of surgical gloves significantly reduces perforations to the innermost glove, 34.7 percent for single gloves and only 3.8 percent for double gloves 9 10 . View our range of surgical gloves BARRIER® – Surgical staff clothing BARRIER surgical staff clothing includes a selection of protection and comfort combinations, adapted to the varying demands of different procedures. BARRIER surgical gowns are procedure-specific products folded for easy aseptic donning. Surgical gowns not only prevent infection of the surgical wound, they also protect the operating team from liquid contamination. BARRIER surgical gowns offer different levels of protection, covering the needs of less invasive operations with fluid-repellent material through to wet surgery with breathable plastic reinforced fronts, impermeable sleeves and impermeable seams. The toughest conditions can be met with a surgical gown that is impermeable all over. BARRIER surgical gowns also have very high comfort levels thanks to the breathable and soft material. Wearing apparel is developed to ensure both patient safety and comfort for healthcare professionals. The range of single-use scrub suits and warm-up jackets provides the comfort and quality of wearing fresh clothes every day. Single-use scrub suits contribute to hospital infection control 6 . The clean air suits provide an effective infection barrier and reduce the flow of skin scales carrying bacteria from staff to the environment 5 7 . Our range of staff clothing also includes headwear and masks. View our range of staff clothing BARRIER® – surgical drapes All BARRIER drapes are designed to contribute to patient safety by providing a barrier against microbial migration. Effective infection control is achieved through impermeable materials where needed while effective fluid control is obtained through absorption or fluid collection pouches – allowing for a drier working area. All foldings are designed for optimal aseptic handling and easy application, which also contributes to infection control. The BARRIER products also come complete with the best available service and support including both training for optimal usage and tailored supply and logistic solutions all according to your need. View our range of surgical drapes HiBi® antiseptics – hand wash and whole body wash Hands are a possible source and vehicle for transmitting microorganisms 6 . Using HiBiScrub in combination with HiBi Liquid Hand Rub+ will provide immediate kill with an effective Scrub up and Top Up technique 9 . This combination provides up to six hours residual effect 10 . The patient's skin is an important source of wound contamination 6 and it is important to reduce the microbial burden and hence the risk of infection. This is commonly done preoperatively with whole body washing. HiBiScrub helps to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) 11 . It provides instant protection and up to a six-hour residual effect 10 . HiBiScrub is kind to skin as it contains a blend of emollients that is dermatologically tested 12 . PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS Mölnlycke related products Biogel gloves Discover the proven quality of Biogel® surgical gloves – Biogel gloves are designed not only to… Surgical drapes Discover the breadth and depth of our BARRIER® range of surgical drapes to help… Staff clothing Discover the BARRIER® range of staff clothing – a wide range of protective clothing for the… 'References' Ducel G, et al. (eds.) Prevention of hospital-acquired infections: a practical guide. 2nd edition. Lyon, France: WHO; 2002 [cited 14 Sep 2017]. URL: http://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/67350. O'Grady NP, et al. Summary of recommendations. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 [cited 14 Sep 2017];52(9):e162-e193. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3106267/. Brote L. Wound infections in clean and potentially contaminated surgery. Importance of bacterial and non-bacterial factors. Acta Chir Scand. 1976;142(3):191-200. Mölnlycke is a world-leading medical products and solutions company that equips healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient, clinical and economic outcomes. We use cookies to improve your use and experience of Mölnlycke’s websites. By continuing to browse Mölnlycke’s site(s), you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with Mölnlycke’s applicable policies. © 2021 Mölnlycke Health Care AB. All rights reserved. Get to know us About us Products and solutions Our knowledge External links Contact us Get the details Regulatory support Products Instruction for use Media and press Policies Terms of use Cookie policy Follow Us Attention: Products shown on the Mölnlycke web sites(s) may not be available in all markets and product indication claim(s) may vary between markets. The Mölnlycke, Alldress, Arthropad, Avance, BARRIER, Biogel, Biogel Eclipse, Biogel PI Pro-Fit, Biogel Sensor, Brevet TX, Collar'n'Cuff, Drisite Easywarm, Elset, Epaderm, Exufiber, Granulox, Granudacyn, Hydrolock, EZ Derm, Hacdil, Hibi, Hibiclens, Hibidil, HiBiscrub, Indicator, Lyofoam, Mefix, Melgisorb, Mextra, Mepiform, Mepilex, Mepiseal, Mepitac, Mepitel, Mepore, Mesalt, Mesoft, Mesorb, Mestopore, Micro Indicator, NeoDerm, Normlgel, PI Indicator, PI Micro Indicator, PI Ultratouch, Polysling, Previsense, Reveal, Safetac, Setopress, Skinsense, Slinky, Steripod, Sterets, Tisept, Tubifast, Tubifast 2-way stretch, Tubigrip, Tubinette, Unisept and Unisoft trademarks, names and logos are registered globally to one or more of the Mölnlycke Health Care group of companies. Healthcare Professional Confirmation The information on the page you are about to enter is intended for healthcare professionals only. By clicking the box below you confirm that you are a healthcare professional. Yes, I am a healthcare professional Continue By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie policy Strictly Necessary Cookies Performance Cookies Targeting Cookies Cookies Settings Save Choices Accept All Cookies