Breakthrough tests show MRSA-killing
Posted: Wednesday, May 24th, 2006
Breakthrough Government accredited laboratory tests have confirmed that a new sanitising solution kills 99.9998 per cent of MRSA colonies within five minutes and – even if left alone – can keep killing fresh colonies by 97 per cent after four weeks.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) laboratory at Southampton General Hospital, treated six tiles with an innovative new formula called TECare, then re-contaminated each weekly for 28 days.
On each occasion, the MRSA suspension was spread over each tile, and colony-forming units measured after 5 and 10 minutes.
The challenge was formidable, with the “innoculum” level of MRSA at up to 1.2 × 10 7 , enough to kill a person if an infected wound was left untreated. Even at these levels, however, the effectiveness remained high.
This confirms the findings of Dr Andrew Taylor of Oldham, Lancashire, who independently tested and published his positive finding on TECare fluid when used in a clinical setting.
TECare is already used extensively in the airline industry, to prevent cross contamination over long periods. It is as safe as distilled water, and so can be used safely around patients and surfaces, but kills and deactivates bacteria, viruses, moulds, fungi and spores including MRSA, e-coli and c-diff.
The study follows government statistics showing MRSA rates have increased by a quarter, and a separate study showing nearly a half of women know someone who has been hit by the super bug.
Neil Manser, Manager of Talley Environmental Care, launched TECare, after his father, Robert, contracted MRSA while in hospital for a non-surgical procedure. Robert Manser has now lost part of both feet, and the fear of further MRSA infections remains with him.
Neil said:
At least 5000 people a year are killed by hospital acquired infections, with the actual number thought to be many times higher. Since my father’s appalling experience with MRSA my single aim is to ensure this terrible bug is eradicated as much as possible.
I am delighted the HPA trial proves conclusively that this technology can be used to help doctors, nurses and cleaning staff achieve high standards which will safeguard patients.