SHG Clinics Völklingen trial an innovative product from the company „nanopool“
Völklingen. According to expert estimates, around five percent of patients in German hospitals contract health-threatening germs every year. If their immune system is weakened, this can sometimes have dangerous consequences. After all, one in three bacteria can no longer be held in check by conventional antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA) in particular have become a growing challenge for hospital hygiene everywhere. In Saarland, the SHG Clinics Völklingen and the Schwalbach-based company „nanopool“, which operates across Europe, have joined forces to tackle the emergence of germs with innovative technology.
Relief is promised by a process patented by nanopool for the „finishing“ of surfaces in hospitals on which germs are known to multiply. These can be bedside tables and hospital beds, but also door handles, light switches and much more – in short, the things that people in hospitals come into contact with many times every day. A number of such objects were initially given a trial coating of a kind of liquid glass and, days later, examined again for germs. The encouraging result: the number of detected germs had in some cases fallen by more than 50 percent.
Nanopool Managing Director Sascha Schwindt is convinced: „With the consistent use of our technology, the level of germs can be reduced even further“.
nanopool had already had its „Liquid glass system“ extensively tested in English clinics under the supervision of the national health authority.
For the first time in a German hospital, the study conducted in England is now being fully repeated at the SHG Clinics Völklingen and examined for the lasting validity of its results. The study is set to begin immediately at a medical clinic of the SHG Clinics Völklingen. The aim is to determine whether reduced germ growth also leads to a reduction in infections. For the results to be valid, a predefined, specific procedure must be followed. The study is supervised by the hygiene physician and the hygiene specialist.
Because this process not only reduces germs but also makes surface care easier and more economical, this benefit is being used at SHG Völklingen as well.
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 have floors on the wards and elevators in the hospital. The technology is also to be used in the clinics‘ five new operating theatres.
„For the benefit of our patients, we strive for the highest possible level of hygiene throughout the hospital. This also means arming ourselves against MRSA bacteria,“ emphasises administrative director Gabriele Haser. The results of the first tests were encouraging. It had also proven true that the surfaces treated with Liquid glass were considerably easier to clean and stayed clean longer – „a most welcome additional benefit,“ said Haser.
Dr. Franz Hausinger, senior consultant at the Herzzentrum Saar and the clinics‘ hygiene officer, is looking forward to the new series of trials: „It’s true that we already have low infection figures. But every infection that can be prevented is worth the experiment.“ Ideally, patient-to-patient transmission of infections could also be reduced.