New Distributor Partners in Kuwait and Lebanon

It is with great pleasure Ebiox can announce further expansion of their Distributor Partner Network within the Middle East.
The healthcare structure in Kuwait is undergoing a large and rapid expansion plan and working with Kuwait Support Services Ltd WLL, Ebiox believes there are great opportunities within this market.
Mediline s.a.l. is a well establish healthcare company in Lebanon and Ebiox hopes to develop their market with them utilising this experience and position they hold within their healthcare market.

BBC News 2 September 2015. Drinking ABHR's.

Drinkers 'raided London hospitals for alcohol-based hand gel

A man who nearly died from drinking hand gel containing alcohol, has detailed how he was part of a group which systematically raided London hospitals for a drink.

This is by no means a new problem and has been happening for many years in most areas where ABHR's are readily available.

Non Alcohol based hand rubs are indicated for use in children's wards, for elderly patients, units treating addiction and wards where patients may be suffering from confusion.

Is it time to consider the use of non alcohol based hand rubs in areas where there is easy public access.

Esense Hand Foam Rub in a non alcohol based hand rub, which has 3 active ingredients. The efficacy is equal to that of ABHR's and provides an excellent alternative to those healthcare workers, patients and visitors who for a number of reason do not like using the current ABHR on offer. By providing an alternative for the choice of the end user will enhance hand hygiene compliance.

It will also prevent headlines hitting the news such as that on the BBC today.

Esense Hand Foam Rub is one of the products in the Ebiox non alcohol based hand hygiene system. For more information go to www.ebiox.co.uk

It Is Time To Look At Textiles Used In Healthcare

Despite the much investment in training and product related to hand hygiene in Healthcare Facilities, rates of Healthcare Acquired Infections still remain a major concern. Yes the "headline" pathogens such as MRSA and C.Diff have declined many others remain a threat.

So despite what some authorities say hand hygiene is not the only answer and there is a need to look at other areas which could be harbouring pathogens, yes hands are the main transport mode but only for example if there is contamination of surfaces and equipment in the vicinity of patients for hands to transport.

Could textiles be classed as a "surface". It is now well documented that textiles used in Healthcare Workers Clothing, Patient Clothing and Linens are contaminated with pathogens. These "surfaces" are either in direct contact with the patient or the hands of HCW's and thus there is the potential for the pathogens to spread.

This concern is supported in many ways now. Separation curtains around clinical areas and beds for example are now being changed to disposables, HCW's ties should no longer be used. Very specific laundering processes are used to reduce any bio-burden there maybe in clothing and linen. All to reduce the potential of HAI's.

Is it therefore not time to look how textiles such as Livinguard can be utilised in the manufacture of HCW's and Patient Clothing and Linen. With it's patented anti-microbial and fluid repellent coatings it could play a major role in reducing the bio-burden of the "surfaces" which harbour the pathogens for the hands to transport.

Is the Role of the WHO Finally Being Challenged?

Following the review of the way the WHO dealt with the Ebola outbreak, which had some quite damming comments, Is it now time to question the overall role of such large organisations and their advisory stances they take on health matters.

Perhaps the culture in particular impacts also day to day recommendations not just emergencies.

"The Ebola crisis proves the World Health Organization (WHO) lacks the "capacity and culture" to deal with global health emergencies, says a damning independent report, commissioned by the WHO itself"

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