Hospital hygiene under the microscope

Scientists have developed a revolutionary hand hygiene technique which could have a major impact on the health of our hospitals.

The new technology, researched by Bathbased Creo Medical boosts cleanliness by providing swift, thorough, hand sterilisation without the need for scrubbing with soaps or gels. This new technology could make a dramatic difference to the fi ght against infection. The Government’s SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) competition for new ideas and technologies is ensuring it gets every chance to succeed.

Hospital chiefs face a daily battle to improve hygiene standards, with superbugs like MRSA and C. difficile always on the radar.

The Non-Thermal Plasma Hand Sterilisation System is being developed with Government funding and the support of the Technology Strategy Board in a bid to provide a new, user-friendly solution.

Instead of soap and water or sterilising gel, people put their hands into the machine, similar to a modern hand-dryer, and a line of plasma (ionised gas with microbiological properties) scans across the hands, ensuring total coverage.

It is hoped the technology will encourage more people to abide by hospital handcleaning requests as it is quicker, easier and kinder to the skin, as well as far more effective at killing bacteria.

In recognition of this potential, developers Creo Medical (chosen as one of 13 winners out of 53 applicants to the SBRI competition) received an initial £100,000 development contract to prove the feasibility of their technology plus £750,000 for a phase 2 contract to develop the final product.

The UK public sector spends around £220bn a year on goods and services, and the SBRI scheme provides a way to enable departments to use some of this money to drive innovation, providing vital funding for the critical stage of technology development.

The contract has enabled Creo Medical to firm up its work to prove that the concept is viable by refining the delivery of the line of plasma. The next stage will be full product development.

KEY FEATURES

• Competition is demand driven by a defined challenge
• Stimulates the creation of innovative new products or services
• Use of proven hydro-electric power generation technology
• Operates under EU pre-commercial procurement guidelines
• Fully-funded development contract,not a grant
• Fast-track, simplified process
• Particularly suitable for small and medium-sized businesses
• Government department acts as the lead customer
• Intellectual property is retained by the company

SBRI is a pan government process, supported by the Technology Strategy Board, to drive innovation. SBRI competitions use the power of Government procurement to:

• provide innovative solutions to public sector challenges
• and business opportunities for technology companies.

Hospital hygiene under the microscope

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