Evidence-based Testing Substantiates Efficacy Claims for SANIGUARD® Antimicrobial Products
Columbia Basin Hospital Tests Provide Independent Proof That Products Are Effective LAKEWOOD, NJ - January 14, 2008 - While clinical tests conducted by Component Hardware Group (CHG) over the last four years have positively shown that SANIGUARD® antimicrobial treated products are effective at controlling the growth of a broad spectrum of bacteria and odor-causing molds and fungi, recent evidence-based tests conducted by Barbara Hornaday at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, Washington have confirmed these results.
SANIGUARD by CHG is a cost-effective, inorganic antimicrobial treatment that utilizes a silver ion-based technology to retard the growth of bacteria and odor-causing molds and mildews on treated surfaces and lasts for the expected life of the product. Barbara Hornaday, a member of APIC, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, continually seeks ways to proactively control nonsocomial infections.
As part of the infection control program at Columbia Basin Hospital, which includes proper hand washing hygiene and routine cleaning and sanitizing of hospital equipment and facilities, Barbara and her staff investigated nineteen SANIGUARD antimicrobial treated products such as faucets, hand showers, door hardware, ice scoops, McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc's p-traps and lavatory drains and Sloan® flush valves for their ability to provide an added degree of protection against the growth of harmful microorganisms on treated surfaces within the hospital.
"Our goal is to reduce the proliferation of disease-causing pathogens on commonly touched surfaces in the hospital, which in turn can help reduce the incidence of nonsocomial infections, such as MRSA and C. difficile" stated Hornaday. "We found pre-rinse sprays and toilet flush valves to be the two dirtiest touch points in the hospital."
Part of the reason for the increased interest in antimicrobial products such as SANIGUARD is the recent announcement by Medicare that, effective as of October 2008, they will no longer cover treatment costs associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). As a result, hospitals and other health care facilities have begun instituting improved infection control programs. The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that HAIs account for over two million infections and 100,000 deaths in the United States annually with an overall cost to the health care system of over $5 billion.
"Independent, third party verification of the effectiveness of our SANIGUARD antimicrobial treated products in a real world environment is crucial to their acceptance by the health care profession, specifically infection control professionals" said Tom Carr, president of CHG, manufacturer of the SANIGUARD brand. "The findings from Columbia Basin Hospital provide concrete proof that our SANIGUARD products work as advertised and validate four years of intensive product development and testing on our part.
SANIGUARD can be applied as a durable polyester or epoxy coating on metallic substrates or as an additive to plastic resins for extruding or injection molding. The proprietary coating is currently the only antimicrobial treatment to meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Protocol P345 for antimicrobial efficacy. This information is provided strictly to substantiate the efficacy of the SANIGUARD antimicrobial compound and is not intended to support or endorse public health claims for treated articles under EPA regulation 40 CFR 152.25 (a).
About SANIGUARD® Antimicrobial Protected Products The first and only products of their kind, SANIGUARD antimicrobial protected plumbing and hardware products inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and fungus on surfaces and help prevent the spread of infection - nonstop and for the life of the product. Unique among plumbing and hardware components, the SANIGUARD line utilizes a patented, proven inorganic silver ion technology to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and prevent their survival on the product's surfaces, offering a benefit with a broad range of applications. For additional information, please visit www.saniguard-online.com or call 1-877-SANIGUARD.
About Component Hardware Group (CHG) Lakewood, New Jersey-based CHG manufactures and distributes plumbing and specialty hardware components to healthcare, foodservice, institutional and commercial markets under the SANIGUARD®, SaniShower, Encore, Regal Ride, Top Line, Drain Master and QuikWash trademarks. For over 25 years, the company has been known for its longtime commitment to the highest level of customer service and its high-quality, innovative products for use in facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, cruise ships, schools, prisons, foodservice kitchens and elsewhere. For additional information, please visit www.componenthardware.com.
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