Summary
• High-profile superbug outbreaks have put the focus on cleanliness.
• Hygienilac coatings can be be found in most hospitals.
• SATRA testing is comparing Hygienilac against silver-based technology.
• Premier is looking to take Hygienilac worldwide.

The hospital bug scandal which rocked the NHS in October has catapulted the issue of cleanliness into the wider public arena.

A watchdog found that 90 deaths were caused by an outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C diff) at hospitals in Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone, with the local NHS trust criticised for not maintaining cleanliness standards.

Deaths from hospital superbugs have become a big issue, totalling almost 5,500 per year, and wood coatings manufacturers are doing their bit to help tackle the risk of infection spreading.

For Premier Finishes, the healthcare market has become a major focus for its products, with its Hygienilac anti-bacterial coatings making up 35% of its business.

Joint director of the Kettering company George Toseland said the recent NHS scandal had prompted more interest in Hygienilac which, unlike its competitors, does not use silver in its formulation.

Cleaning – a dirty word

“We have had a significant increase in interest in our products as a result of the adverse publicity relating to C diff,” he said. “Spread of bacteria in hospitals is always going to be an issue because cleaning is a dirty word. The reason we have these problems is cleaners do not always do their jobs very well.”

Hygienilac was brought to market three years ago and Mr Toseland estimated it is already used in about 90% of UK hospitals and care homes. But in those hospitals the coating does not necessarily have a big penetration – it might only be used on a few chair,s for instance.

Premier’s development of Hygienilac stemmed from its desire to enter the contract kitchen market.

“We targeted typical food bacteria such as E coli and salmonella, to improve cleanliness in the home. But it dawned on us – what about MRSA.”

Subsequent tests showed Hygienilac was indeed also effective against hospital bugs such as MRSA and others. Indeed, Hygienilac’s bacteria killing ability is rated at 99.9% (certified by Bodycote Lawlabs and endorsed by the NHS Infection Control Rapid Review Panel).

Now Premier supplies some of the biggest manufacturers of healthcare furniture in the UK.

Two new clients include Knightsbridge Furniture, which Mr Toseland estimated had about 20% of the UK healthcare furniture market, and HJ Berry. Other customers include door manufacturer Leaderflush Shapland, Wallis Office Furniture, Solk Furniture and Huntleigh Renray, who supply to the NHS, care home, education, office and hospitality sectors.

Premier claims that Hygienilac has advantages over traditional coatings using silver technology because its oxidised metal formulation does not break down under UV light.

In an effort to prove its point, Premier has commissioned SATRA to conduct testing to compare the effectiveness of Hygienilac with silver-based technology. Initial feedback is said to be “extremely positive” but the results will not be released for several weeks yet.

Premier already has British Standards certification on artificial UV light – BS ISO 11341.1998 (equivalent of eight years’ light) to back up its claims.

Mr Toseland stressed that Hygienilac could help reduce the risk of infection spreading but it is not a complete answer to stopping the bacteria. Cleaning, he said, was still needed, as dirt could build up on any surface.

Cleaning agents

Premier has developed its own range of sprayable cleaning agents designed to keep wood-based surfaces clean. The cleaners, designed as part cleaner and part coating, use the Hygienilac technology and are currently being examined by the NHS Institute.

The company believes the cleaners will help preserve the coating surface, which are tested by harsh bleach-based cleaners used in hospitals.

And the future? The Hygienilac technology is now in demand for use in laundry and other materials such as moulded plastics, which Premier hopes will help “close the loop” in hospitals by protecting a bigger range of objects.

Premier is also looking to tie up deals with multi-national coatings manufacturers to supply Hygienilac worldwide. It is currently in negotiations with an Italian and a North American-based company.

Deals may involve Premier agreeing licences for other companies to use the Hygienilac technology or selling the additive.