When classes begin this Autumn, the University of Dayton's master of physician assistant practice programme in Ohio will be the first teaching university in the US to dress students in germ-killing clothing.
The programme’s students will be outfitted in Prime Medical’s SAF-T scrubs, a new line of bactericidal clothing for healthcare use that continuously kills germs on contact.
Unprotected textiles in healthcare are known carriers of harmful pathogens that result in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Prime Medical said SAF-T products protect patients from HAIs by killing harmful germs and bacteria and preventing them from spreading.
The clothing and textiles use BioSmart, a patented fabric technology that binds chlorine to the surface of fabric to continuously kill 99.9% of harmful pathogens for 120 days between wash cycles.
Each laundering with EPA-registered bleach completely recharges the germ-killing effectiveness through 75 industrial wash cycles, with no loss of efficacy and without fading the fabric, the firm said.
We’re pleased to lead the way in adding this new layer of infection prevention to our teaching environment
'It is very exciting to know that our students, staff and the patients they treat will be protected from harmful pathogens that can lead to infections,' said Kevin R. Kelly, Dean of the School of Education and Health Sciences at the University of Dayton.
'We’re pleased to lead the way in adding this new layer of infection prevention to our teaching environment.'
Bactericidal soft surfaces, such as SAF-T scrubs, augment existing infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene, hard surface disinfection and instrument sterilisation. Instead of contributing to the spread of deadly infections these textiles reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
'Bactericidal fabrics are the new frontier in healthcare apparel, particularly as antibiotic-resistant superbugs and HAIs continue to rise,' said Jim Sampey, CEO of Prime Medical.
