Dulux Trade is helping to promote a more hygienic environment at Hammersmith Hospital through the use of its antibacterial paint range, Sterishield. The high performance coating, which helps to inhibit the spread of bacteria, is being used throughout the entire patient and ward areas of the London site.
Dulux Trade has been working with Hammersmith Hospital for three years, after it embarked on a programme to address infection control issues and improve on targets. In particular, the hospital focused on preventing superbugs, such as MRSA, a common skin bacterium that is resistant to a range of antibiotics.
“The hospital has a zero per cent MRSA target, so we needed to explore solutions that would help us to meet this figure,” said Colin Campbell, Trust Estates Manager at Hammersmith Hospital. “As such, we explored various options, including antimicrobial paints.”
Paul Lawrence, Specification Account Manager at Dulux Trade, introduced the water based hygiene paint to the hospital, outlining its high performance features and benefits. In particular, Dulux Trade Sterishield helps in the fight against viruses, such as MRSA and E.Coli, due to the presence of silver based bactericide. “After learning about the benefits of the decorative coating, the hospital began conducting intensive tests on the product,” explains Paul.
The Department of Infection Control at Hammersmith Hospital rigorously tested Dulux Trade Sterishield against a strict set of criteria. Specifically, the department needed to ensure the coating is non-hazardous to patients, and also created a surface that is washable and durable in the longer term. Sampling it on one wall, the assessors applied a wide range of substances that are known to spread bacteria, including fine aerosols and human skin contact. They also tested the paint’s durability by washing and scrub testing the treated substrate.
“Sterishield surpassed the hospital’s preliminary assessments. We were especially impressed with its performance when scrubbed,” explains Colin Campbell. Sterishield is perfect for high risk environments, like hospitals, as it is durable, washable and withstands repeated cleaning cycles. What’s more, in tests, Sterishield actually increases its activity against bacteria when washed or scrubbed.[1]
After the assessment process proved extremely successful, Sterishield was applied to the walls in all of the wards and patient areas at Hammersmith Hospital, helping to create a bright and clean environment for visitors. Colin Campbell comments: “We were really impressed with the finish of the paint and how it can help us promote a more hygienic environment for patients. Therefore, we began to use it in all areas of the hospital, including the operating theatres.”
Colin continues: “The great thing about Sterishield is that it is really straightforward to use. It looks, is applied and disposed of in just the same way as any standard emulsion paint. This suits the hospital’s in-house painters, and they comment on how easy it is to apply.
“The hospital has been using the paint for just over three years now, and we continue to use it when the walls need redecorating. We also specify it to any contractors who do work for the hospital,” concluded Colin Campbell. “The paint delivers exactly what we need for this specialist environment; I would highly recommend it.”
Sterishield, a superior hygiene paint, is already being used in a wide range of medical applications. Unlike other antibacterial coatings that use chemicals to inhibit bacterial growth, the silver in Sterishield safely and effectively prevents bacteria from multiplying.
Offering colour and coating flexibility, Sterishield is available in a wide palette of colours including BS4800 and the RAL colour ranges, as well as Diamond Matt and Eggshell finishes.
[1] All tests were carried out by an independent laboratory using a novel procedure based on the Japanese Industrial Standard ‘Test for Anti-microbial Activity and Efficacy’ (JIS Z 2801: 2000). The novelty lies in the development of a ‘real life’ test procedure created to assess how long bacteria can survive on a paint film surface under ambient temperature and humidity conditions (20°C and 65% RH) for 24 hours.
