Steris launches 15 minute prion inactivation detergent

Published: 11-Apr-2005


A new product from Steris for removing and inactivating prion contamination from surgical instruments is now available for sale and use in UK hospitals. The detergent can remove and inactivate prion contamination from surgical instruments in 15 minutes. It was showcased at the Patients Association Clean Hospital Summit on 14/15 April in London. This follows research published in The Lancet last year which revealed that Steris's Prion Inactivation Detergent removes and inactivates the dangerous prions present on surgical instruments and other healthcare equipment. No simple method has previously been available for tackling the deadly proteins behind BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or mad cow disease) and vCJD (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) that does not damage the surfaces of medical instruments or other sensitive healthcare equipment during cleaning. Dr. Gerald McDonnell, senior director, Technical Affairs, Steris, said: "This product is a breakthrough for patient safety and a major step in starting to win the war against prions and has been CE marked for this application. The technology doesn't just remove the prions from the surface of the instrument; it actually inactivates the prion and reduces the onward transmission risk." The technology, available for use in hospital sterile service departments for the cleaning of surgical instruments between use on patients, has been trialled at an NHS hospital in the Basingstoke area. Enquiry card number: 120

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