Category: Blog

We’re hearing more and more from hospitals looking for an alternative to chlorine for disinfecting their healthcare settings. Research is building a steady case against the use of chlorine-based disinfectants and cites a strong connection between chlorine usage and levels of occupational asthma. Both nursing staff and domestic teams can be subject to the long-term effect of this debilitating disease.

Due to the problems associated with chlorine products, chlorine free, DiffX™ has been designed to support the healthcare industry provide a safer environment for staff and patients and offers many other additional benefits.

Use of some disinfectants cause respiratory conditions.

We’ve taken a look at two scientific papers that investigate all degrees of breathing problems and occupational asthma to see what they recommend with regard to the harmful effects of chlorine based disinfectants, and at the way disinfectant and cleaning agents should be used, in order to improve safety and avoid the cost of chlorine on health, hospital equipment, as well as on the environment.

A study of 4102 American nurses conducted in 2014*, examining their use of disinfectants and the associated damaging respiratory effects, found that ‘in particular’ the disinfection of medical instruments was associated with poor asthma control and recommends healthcare services stop using hazardous substances and use safer alternatives for asthma control.

DiffX™ is a perfect alternative to chlorine-based disinfectants. It is a safer combined cleaner and disinfectant, and it does not cause breathing problems or make existing conditions worse. DiffX™ patented peracetic acid formulation, is non-toxic and totally environmentally safe, leaving no toxic residue on surfaces and any unused solution is harmless.

Certain types of cleaning associated with increased risk of asthma

In the UK, research completed by the Health and Safety Executive in 2017* reviewed 59 academic papers that looked at the occupational risks of asthma in relation to cleaning products and concluded that there is consistent evidence that certain types of cleaning work were associated with increased risk of developing asthma, and potentially other respiratory conditions, and making pre-existing asthma worse.

Asthma symptoms were reported to worsen with the use of chlorine agents and bleaches, and spraying these chemicals was also associated with increased risk of respiratory disease.

DiffX™ minimises waste and provides users with piece of mind. This safer alternative to a chlorine acts faster than chlorine disinfection, so it is especially beneficial for quick turnover of patient’s rooms and equipment.

Benefits of non-chlorine cleaning & disinfecting

Being milder and more effective, DiffX™ will not harm these materials in the way that chlorine disinfectants do. Supported by testing DiffX™ is safe on: stainless steel, plastic, silicone, laminates, and microfiber.

Therefore, reduces the costs of repair and replacement that may be incurred when using chlorine. Resulting in surfaces and furnishings looking brighter and newer for longer. Great for budgets as well as improving the wellbeing and moral of patients and staff alike.

Advantages of DiffX™

So, with strong scientific evidence, does this mean that chlorine-based disinfectants have had their day? We know that healthcare organisations are looking for safer choices and longer-term savings.

We at DiffX™ have been overwhelmed with the interest in our product that has been designed to provide such an alternative. The absence of chlorine and the application of DiffX™ provides a safer product that does not harm health or productivity.

This, combined with DiffX™’s non-corrosive effect on hospital equipment makes it a better choice for effective cleaning and disinfection with massive long-term benefits for health and hospital budgets.

Book a call with us to find out how we supported a hospital domestic team member to return to work after 3 months off from the effects of chlorine on their health;

Mike Jepson       Email: info@diffxdoesit.com    Telephone: 01484 505615

References
* Dumas O, Wiley AS, Quinot C, et al, occupational exposure to disinfectants and asthma control in US nurses
Health and safety executive 2017 study ‘A literature review of evidence on cleaning products And Occupational risks for asthma’

As corporate members of the Infection Prevention Society (IPS), it was great to attend the IPS Journey To Net Zero conference in Birmingham and hear more about the ongoing task of taking NHS’ emissions to Net Zero by 2040 in all areas under their control.

It was great to see the subject of sustainability discussed with the urgency and commitment that it needs, as well as hear about the progress to date.

The breadth and variety of ideas about how changing products can help the NHS move towards net zero was impressive.

We share the IPS community’s commitment to sustainable products. DiffX™ cleaner and disinfectant which supports the NHS in reducing its environmental impact, and effectively reducing infections.

Our special thanks go to the coordinator for the IPS’ Sustainability SIG Graham Pike Associate Director of Nursing & IPC, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who’s championing sustainability in all aspects of the infection prevention industry, as well as to the many great speakers, such as; Holly Slyne, Jon Otter, Heidi Barnard and Clare Nash. We look forward to hearing updates on how the practical steps, case studies and ideas raised at the conference are spreading throughout our healthcare systems.

Would you like more information about how we can support you?

Mike Jepson      Email: mike.jepson@mtpinnovations.com          Telephone: 01484 505615

Our DiffX™ products are easy to use and proven to destroy life threatening viruses, fungi, yeasts, spores and bacteria.

Its pH neutral formula is easy on the environment and a powerful disinfectant that eliminates all surface contamination.

To support you use our product correctly we have this short video.

The 5 main points from the video to correctly use DiffX™ are:

• Check dilution rates for the type of cleaning and disinfection you need
• Ensure water is warm to the touch, between 35º – 45º
• Allow the sachet to fully dissolve
• In use, ensure the cloth or mop is damp but not wet
• Effective for 24 hours, discard any leftover solution after this time

­If you would like to find out more about how to use our DiffX™ products please contact us:

Mike Jepson      Email: info@diffxdoesit.com          Telephone: 01484 505615

Winter months bring colder temperatures and shorter days, but they also bring something else – more pathogens and illness! In this blog we remind ourselves of the importance of infection prevention and control and cleaning and disinfection within a healthcare setting.

Common cold, flu, and norovirus, can spread quickly and cause serious complications for those with weakened immune systems, and impact the workload on the already overstretched NHS staff and services.

These illnesses can be transmitted easily in hospitals, as patients and visitors inadvertently bring them in with them. They are spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment, and healthcare professionals.

Infection prevention and control is vitally important in the fight against the spread of winter viruses and other healthcare acquired infections.

Healthcare professionals should always:

• practice good hand hygiene,
• use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves & masks, where appropriate, and
• ensure that all surfaces and equipment are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Here at MTP Innovations we can support you with the latter. Our DiffX™ cleaning and disinfection system is proven to be effective against all healthcare associated infections whilst protecting surfaces and equipment with its pH neutral, non-corrosive formula.

The powerful formulation allows healthcare teams to clean and disinfect at the same time, sanitising all surfaces such as floors and worktops as well as those high touchpoint areas and patient’s contact surfaces such as medical equipment, bed rails and door handles.

By taking the necessary steps to practice effective disinfection and following good infection prevention and control practices, hospitals can help protect their staff, patients, and visitors from the spread of winter pathogens.

If you would like to find out more about how the MTP Innovations team can support you with keeping your healthcare environments clean and sanitised, or to arrange a fully supported evaluation, get in contact with us:

Christine Sparks      Email: info@diffxdoesit.com          Telephone: 01484 505615