HAIs result in an extra 16 million days spent in hospital each year and the annual indirect financial losses are estimated to be \u20ac7 billion, according to the World Health Organisation1. However, at least 20 percent of HAIs are preventable by implementing a coordinated and tightly controlled cleaning system using well chosen and effective products2.<\/p>\n
Traditional hospital cleaning cloths and wipes have been shown to potentially spread over 30 percent3 of the germs that they pick up to the next surface to be wiped. Even freshly laundered they pose a serious cross-contamination risk. A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that 93 percent4 of traditional cloths still contained bacteria that could trigger HAIs after they had been laundered; proving that laundering is insufficient for the removal of potentially harmful bacteria from reusable cloths.<\/p>\n
Short term use, disposable cloths eliminate the problems faced by ineffective laundering procedures, which are also very time-consuming. According to the NHS National Patient Safety Agency\u2019s (NPSA) Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual5, Microfibre is the material of choice. Made up of extremely fine composite synthetic fibres, engineered to provide a large surface area, microfibre cloths and mops deliver super-efficient removal of microscopic particles.<\/p>\n
However, Microfibre cloths vary in quality; some cloths contain as little as 20 percent Microfibre content, which has a detrimental impact on the cloth\u2019s ability to provide effective cleaning. It is important therefore to select a high grade 100% Microfibre cloth to guarantee the best cleaning results.<\/p>\n
Chicopee\u2019s Microfibre Light has been manufactured to exacting standards to deliver the highest quality cleaning performance. It is manufactured using a new process that employs a high pressure water system to split individual fibres so that they are 80 percent finer than standard Microfibres. This creates a larger surface area and delivers a cloth that can easily pick up bacteria, dirt and dust and keep them trapped until it is rinsed. The cloths have been independently tested to demonstrate 99.99 percent removal of bacteria from surfaces, with zero percent transferred on to a second surface6. Designed for short-term use, it also limits the time spent by cleaning staff on non-value added tasks, such as laundering.<\/p>\n
Already these new Microfibre cloths are delivering results. The NPSA\u2019s Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual5 reports that many hospitals using disposable Microfibre cloths have noticed a reduction in the time taken to perform cleaning tasks and even more importantly, their introduction has been followed by improvements in measured cleaning scores when used in accordance with the manufacturer\u2019s directions.<\/p>\n
Cleaning is a vital task in a healthcare setting, helping to maintain hygienic conditions and limit the spread of HAIs, which can have a devastating impact on individuals and hospitals. Traditional cloths do not offer the same level of pick up and retention as Microfibre cloths. Chicopee\u2019s Microfibre Light is manufactured using the latest innovative techniques to deliver an excellent cleaning performance. Designed for short-term use, it offers a hygienic clean every time, making it ideal for the healthcare sector.<\/p>\n