The Questions Over the Use of ABHR's Continue to Grow

Since the uptake of Alcohol Based Hand Rubs for one of the key aspects of infection prevention and control, hand hygiene, recommendations for it's use has come from such influential bodies such as the WHO and CDC.

The CDC last reviewed its recommendations as far back as 2002. Since that date the use of ABHR's has unquestionably had an impact on infection control and infection rates, however with the experience of use over this time questions are beginning to be raised over the use of ABHR's.

The following study is one of many that surely should stimulate a review of both the recommendations made by both bodies, especially as there are a number of excellent alternatives now available which in 2002 was not the case.

Edwards, Patel and Wareham had a study published in The Journal of Medical Microbiology as long ago as 2007. "Low concentrations of commercial alcohol hand rubs facilitate growth of secretions of extracellular proteins by multidrug-resitant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii"

Just one small section of this in-depth study raises significant questions, "As ABHR's are extensively used in health care settings, the authors set out to determine whether the hand rubs could also influence the growth of prevalent multidrug-resistant strains circulating in UK hospitals. A significant increase in growth was observed"!!!

During the study commercially available ABHR's were used, Skinman, Softalind, Spirigel and Purell.

It makes fascinating reading, but more importantly it strengthens the argument along with many other factors, that it is time for the CDC and WHO to make an unbiased review of their recommendations.

The Strengthening of Ebiox

Over the past few months Ebiox has been working to enhance and extend their product offering, as well as strengthening their financial position as part of ongoing plans for growth.

New Trionic D Wipe Dispensing System

Ebiox has launched its new dispensing system utilising the well proven and accepted Trionic D Wipes for cleaning and disinfection. Ideally suited for smaller clinical areas and ambulances with a wall mounted perspex holder and a flat pack of 50 medium size wipes which can be replaced when empty.

Natural Esense

Natural Esense is their first hand hygiene product based on sustainable natural ingredients, Natural Esense™. Extracted from the pith of Seville Oranges (Citrus Aurantium), Natural Esense is a proprietary formula, and is classed under the Bioflavonoid Complex classification.

Tested extensively to European regulatory standards and other supporting studies, Natural Esense provides effective bacterial, virucidal, fungicidal and sporicidal protection.

There is a growing interest in non alcohol based products especially within hand hygiene with Infection Prevention and Control teams looking for answers to help drive forward the levels of compliance to their hand hygiene protocols.

Natural Esense will be made available in a variety of dispensing systems.

Trionic A2Z Dry Mist System

Following extensive redesign and upgrade programme led by Amazon Bio-Guard Ltd, Ebiox has launched the new system for total room or vehicle disinfection.

There is a growing demand for total room or vehicle disinfection and there are a number of competitors already offering such devices into our market sector, however there can be a number of issues with the current offering, process time, complex protocols, complex systems, cost, damage to materials in the room and surface wetting.

The Trionic A2Z Area Disinfection System has a number of features which provides answers to a number of these issues:
Simple and easy to use system
No complex protocols
Shorter process times
No surface wetting
Very Cost effective
Use as an ongoing preventative measure

We believe this is an excellent addition to our product portfolio, one which offers many opportunities and the potential for pull through of other products such as Trionic wipes. Our aim as Ebiox is to offer a comprehensive range of solutions for Infection Prevention and Control.

Financial

The Directors of Ebiox Limited are pleased to announce that the company has completed a rights issue of £700,000 to strengthen its balance sheet and provide further working capital funding to grow the business.

The Directors were informed in July 2011 that Healthcare Enterprise Group plc had been put into liquidation, but would note that Healthcare Enterprise Group plc ceased to own Ebiox Limited in July 2009 and current shareholding only represents 7% of the Company’s ordinary share capital.