As part of efforts to reduce hospital-acquired infections, Baptist Health is planning to adopt specialised fluid repellent garments produced by  Vestagen Technical Textiles for both staff and patients.

The Jacksonville based network of hospitals has partnered with the producer of advanced performance textile products to distribute thousands of staff uniforms, lab coats and scrub jackets that feature the company’s antimicrobial, fluid barrier Vestex fabric.

Preventing infection

“It does help prevent the transmission of organisms which cause infection from person to person, and that’s why we’re interested in them,” explained Diane Raines, Baptist Health Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer.

Hospital staff will begin receiving the new garments on 10 July. Patients will also receive updated gowns made with the Vestex textile in September.

Nearly complete reduction

The system has invested more than US 1 million for more than 70,000 staff and patient garments in the initial rollout. According to the company, a research on the Vestex uniforms published in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology showed a nearly complete reduction in the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly known as MRSA, when compared to non-protective uniforms.

“Everyone knows that to reduce germs you wash hands and wipe surfaces between patients, but it’s not feasible for staff to change uniforms between every patient,” said Vestagen CEO Uncas ‘Ben’ V. Favret III. “Baptist is including what is worn as an additional evidence based strategy for reducing environmental contamination.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one health care-associated infection and estimates that nearly 100,000 patients die from hospital acquired infections every year.

Vestagen

Vestagen Technical Textiles develops and markets advanced performance textile products and technologies. The company developed Vestex, the first in a new class of technology based, active barrier protective fabrics combining antimicrobial, liquid repellent and breathability properties.

Vestex uniforms and scrubs for healthcare applications are designed to protect workers and their patients from dangerous contaminants. They are clinically proven to prevent or reduce the acquisition and retention of contaminants on clothing and are comfortable, durable and affordable.

www.vestagen.com