Ebiox's Natural Esense Meets the Needs of "Dry Scrubbing" for Surgical Procedures

For many years the routine protocol for the surgical team scrubbing up for a surgical procedure has been to “wet scrub” i.e. using an anti-microbial hand wash such as Chlorhexidine or povidine iodine in conjunction with water and scrubbing brush. Initially the use of a scrubbing brush was reduced to just nails and not skin, timescales for the length of the procedure were reduced and advice not to use povidine iodine based solutions. The whole aim was to reduce the damage to the skin integrity and reduce the amount of skin flora released with studies showing if this can be achieved then there is a reduction in cross infection.

However in the past few years further changes have been made in some countries as water and hand wash are one of the major causes of Irritant Contact Dermatities (ICD) which has an impact on those  who suffer and again the risk of increased cross infection. The next step in the evolution of preparing for a surgical procedure was to then introduce “dry scrubbing” that is not using water in the procedure but just a hand rub and yes Alcohol Based Hand Rubs led the way.

Further efficacy testing is required, EN12791 so that you can make a claim on a product being used as a surgical hand rub. The issues which we know well with the use ABHR’s are increased as the contact time with most brands is three minutes, so many applications and this needs to be not just hands but up to the elbows.

Hospitals now adopt a practice of “wet scrubbing” at the start of the surgical list and then “dry scrubbing” between cases. “dry scrubbing” is also of benefit where interventional procedures are carried out and no wet scrubbing facilities are available.

The product we offer for ‘dry scrubbing” is Natural Esense. A product based on all composition of totally natural ingredients, it offers a much kinder solution to the user with an excellent portfolio of efficacy testing.

For more information please contact sales@ebiox.co.uk or visit our website www.ebiox.co.uk

Still only ABHR's!!!!!

I read an excellent article today (Health and Social Care Reform) with reference to even greater vigilance for Hand Hygiene as 13th October is Global Handwashing Day.

Yet again however there is one frustrating aspect to all these articles and that is this "We also need ready access to soap and water and alcohol-based disinfectants" my response to the article was as follows.

"I read this article with great interest and totally agree with the comments made.

However I would also suggest that some of the "fatigue found" with less frequent hand hygiene and therefore a drop in compliance, is the lack of choice for healthcare workers, patients and visitors as to the type of hand rub available.

Yes alcohol based hand rubs have made great steps forward in hand hygiene practice but is it not time to have available non-alcohol based hand rubs for those who have problems using ABHR's. By giving a choice compliance would increase ensuring duty of care to patients and staff."

Ebola and Ebiox

With the global concern growing with reference to the spread of Ebola virus, Ebiox believes their product offering linked with stringent Infection Prevention and Control protocols can play a role in combating the Ebola Virus.

Trionic D and Esense product groups do not have an Ebola kill claim in their testing portfolio. Actually, testing products for efficacy against the Ebola virus is not openly available because it is so hazardous to conduct. 

Ebola strains on surfaces are probably fairly easy to kill since they are an enveloped virus these being less resistant to disinfectants than non-enveloped viruses.

However Trionic D products do have efficacy proven via the EPA in the US and EN testing in Europe against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. The contact time for virucidal efficacy against enveloped viruses such as, HIV, Hepatitis B, Herpes Simplex, Avian Influenza, Influenza A, H1N1 and Human Corona Virus is five minutes. Trionic D also has efficacy against Adenovirus 5 again it is well accepted that efficacy against this type of pathogen then the product tested would have efficacy against Ebola.

Therefore what we can conclude is that Trionic is effective against enveloped viruses of which Ebola is one.

It is however well documented that 2% Glutaraldehyde is effective in killing the Ebola virus. Ebiox Sporicidal HLD with G-cide is a patented stabilised 2.7% Glutaraldehyde product utilising a surfactant to stabilise the volatile Glutaraldehyde molecule and to help breakdown the cell walls of the enveloped virus.

With Ebiox Sporicidal HLD having G-cide as it's active we can offer a product which has:

     Greater efficacy against pathogens as molecule stable

     Safe to use as volatility greatly reduced

     A ready to use solution 

     Fast contact time

     Bio-degradable

     Non-corrosive

We can also offer a unique range of Healthcare Workers Clothing Ebiox Livinguard which linked with the PPE used in treating patients with Ebola gives an added layer of protection.

Ebiox Livinguard clothing and linen range is a patented coating which offers two key requirements:

     Anti-microbial Protection

     A fluid repellent coating

This linked with a number of other qualities we believe offers further peace of mmd to those working in this very difficult situation.

For further information please do not hesitate to visit our website www.ebiox.co.uk or email sales@ebiox.co.uk

Ebiox Completes a Distributor Agreement in Singapore

Ebiox is delighted to announce that they have reached a Distributor Partner Agreement with Medi SG Pte Ltd of Singapore for the Ebiox Product Portfolio.

Medi SG helps consolidate Ebiox’s position within this important geographical area.

We look forward to the success of this partnership and working with Medi SG’s experienced and professional team.

Ebiox able to claim Sporicidal on their Environmental Hygiene Range

We have been working for a number of months with our notified and regulatory bodies to assess the efficacy testing we have had carried out which will enable us to state that Trionic D is Sporicidal. 

The great news today was that it is now possible for us to state that claim and to have printed on our labels for the Trionic D products.

This is a strong statement to be able to make and we believe strengthens our efficacy claims greatly. Test certificates can be found on the Ebiox website www.ebiox.co.uk follow the link to “Test Reports and MSDS”.

Nordipak Agrees a Territory Extension

Ebiox are delighted to announce that Nordipak have agreed to extend their Ebiox Partner Distributor Agreement to now cover Spain.
We wish them luck in their exciting increase in territory and opportunities for both Nordipak and Ebiox.

Why Just offer ABHR's?

It is of key interest that decision makers look to what is an old recommendation from bodies such as CDC and WHO on the use of Alcohol Based Hand Rubs (ABHR’s), when in so many other aspects they are looking for the latest product and advice.

The recommendations, and I stress recommendation not legal requirement was made some 13 years ago and in that time frame issues have arisen with the use of ABHR’s and the development of non alcohol based hand rubs which have gone through rigorous efficacy testing.

The focus of any Healthcare Facility should be compliance with the hand hygiene protocols laid out for Healthcare Workers (HCW’s) it is totally irrelevant what product is used and recommended by the CDC and WHO, if HCW’s do not comply with the use of ABHR’s for which there are a number of reasons.

A forward looking Healthcare Facility will look to meet the need for increasing their compliance rate by at least a minimum offering a choice of hand rubs, not just ABHR’s.

Questions that need to be asked by a key person within the facility are:

Do we know what is the components and strength of the ABHR we use, as these are key to the efficacy of the product?

If the facility uses a hand gel, do our HCW’s wash their hands after 8-10 uses as recommended by the authorities and manufacturers? This is due to efficacy decreasing with the build up of the gel component on the hands.

So are there enough hand washing facilities?

Do the HCW’s keep their hands wet for 30 seconds using ABHR’s and therefore re-apply if they are not, as recommended by the authorities and manufacturers.

Do the HCW’s conduct a full Ayliff technique or does the ABHR dry too quickly?

Are HCW’s avoiding the use of ABHR’s, this can be for a number of reasons, so are the required compliance levels being met or improving?

If the answer to any of the questions is no then the facility will not be meeting required compliance levels and therefore failing in it’s duty of care.

Is the ABHR being stored correctly, meeting fire regulations?

How much is known about the developing resistance to ABHR’s?

There are viable alternatives in non ABHR’s, giving choice to the end user and improving hand hygiene compliance rates.

As to why the CDC and WHO have not reviewed in any depth, only they can answer.