Fighting harmful germs in hospitals with innovative technology
SHG-Clinics Völklingen trial a novel product from the company “nanopool”
Völklingen. According to experts, approximately five percent of patients in German hospitals contract health-threatening germs every year. If their immune system is weakened, this can sometimes have life-threatening consequences. One in three bacteria can no longer be controlled by conventional antibiotics. Particularly the “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains” (MRSA) have become a growing challenge for hospital hygiene everywhere. In Saarland, SHG-Clinics Völklingen and the Europe-wide operating company “nanopool” have teamed up to combat the spread of germs using innovative technology.
A patented process from nanopool promises a solution for “refining” surfaces in hospitals, where germs are known to multiply. These can include bedside tables and hospital beds, but also door handles, light switches, and much more – essentially, items that people in hospitals come into frequent contact with. Some of these objects were initially coated with a type of liquid glass as a test and later re-examined for germs. The encouraging result: The number of germs found had decreased by over 50 percent in some cases.
Nanopool’s Managing Director Sascha Schwindt is convinced: “With consistent use of our technology, germ growth can be further reduced.”
Nanopool has already intensively tested its “Liquid Glass System” in collaboration with national health authorities in English hospitals.
For the first time in a German hospital, SHG-Clinics Völklingen will now repeat the study carried out in England and verify the long-term effectiveness of the results. The study is set to begin immediately in a medical clinic within SHG-Clinics Völklingen. The aim is to assess whether reduced germ growth also leads to a reduction in infections. To ensure the results are valid, a pre-defined procedure must be followed. The study will be supervised by the hospital’s hygiene doctor and hygiene specialist.
As this procedure not only reduces germs but also makes surface maintenance easier and more economical, it will also be utilised at SHG Völklingen.
The stainless steel surfaces in the delivery area of the central sterile supply department, which is currently being certified, have been coated with liquid glass, as well as floors in the wards and elevators in the hospital. The technology will also be implemented in the five new operating rooms of the clinics.
“We aim for the highest possible level of hygiene throughout the hospital for the benefit of our patients. This includes taking steps to protect against MRSA bacteria,” emphasises Director of Administration, Gabriele Haser. The results of the initial tests are promising. Furthermore, it has been shown that surfaces treated with liquid glass are significantly easier to clean and stay clean longer – “a very welcome additional benefit,” says Haser.
Dr. Franz Hausinger, senior physician at the Heart Centre Saar and hospital hygiene officer, is eager to see the new trials: “Although our infection rates are already low, any infection we can prevent is worth the experiment.” Ideally, it would be possible to reduce infection transmission from patient to patient as well.
