Some of the latest materials and related technologies for detecting and combating infection in the healthcare environment, and related recent NHS work through the National Innovation Centre and the HCAI Technology Innovation Programme (HEJ – October 2009) on projects to “banish the bugs”, will be discussed at a London conference on 9 November.
IHEEM members can obtain a 10% discount on the attendance fee. Being held at the IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), at 1, Carlton House Terrace, the one-day event will examine “the threat” of infection and ways of reducing its spread, including:
• The use of design solutions to minimise the spread of infection and prevent bacteria build-up on furnishings and medical equipment.
• Patient isolation.
• The use and application of functional materials for applications such as hard surfaces, textiles (bedding, clothing and soft furnishings), paints and medical devices. (Photo shows the “patient chair” with wipe-clean frame and foam-filled waterproof cushions with removable fabric cases designed by Pearson Lloyd and manufactured by Kirton Healthcare for the Department of Health’s “Design Bugs Out” project).
• The future alternatives to today’s solutions and the use of nanotechnology.
• Detection systems to sense and monitor superbugs.
• “Smart solutions”, and new equipment to kill harmful bacteria and deep clean infected areas.
Chaired by Sue Dunkerton, of the HealthTech and Medicines Knowledge Transfer Network, the event will feature keynotes by Clive Beggs, professor of medical technology at the University of Bradford, and Paul Cryer, programme manager for the Department of Health’s HCAI Technology Innovation Programme. Other presentation topics and speakers will include: “Infection prevention: the journey to market” – Chris Dyke, Medilink West Midlands; “Biofilm models for the testing of antimicrobialreleasing materials” – Dr Jonathan Pratten, UCL Eastman Dental Institute; “Recent developments in copper protection” – Mark Tur of the Copper Development Agency; “Antimicrobial fabrics – an overview” – Brian McCarthy, Technical Textiles, Materials KTN; “Inorganic nanomaterials for antimicrobial protection” – Selvaraj Subbiah, Intrinsiq Materials; “Lenticular posters as a visual stimulus for infection control –. Robbie Rohan, P4YT; “Nanosensors for superbugs and superdrugs” – Dr Rachel McKendry, London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, and “NHS Smart Ideas: temporary isolation unit” – Mike Phillips, Renfrew Group. For more details visit: www.iom3.org/events/infection or email: dawn.bonfield@iom3.org
