Vernacare’s Tuffie 5 multi-surface sporicidal wipe is now also available in new, lighter flexible packaging designed to reduce packaging waste by 70%, while providing further customer cost savings of up to 30% versus traditional tubs.
The wipe is “proven to be effective” against not only Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also Clostridium difficile, norovirus, MRSA, H1N1 (swine flu) virus, and the newly identified NDM-1 superbug. Vernacare says new research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology has identified multiple antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa, finding that “built-up tolerance” is not the only way bacteria are able to defend against antibiotics; a further defence mechanism called “persistence” could also facilitate their survival. In the light of the research, Chris Socratous, Vernacare product manager, says products like the Tuffie 5 cleaning and disinfecting wipes “will become increasingly important in infection control policies across the UK”. He added: “P. aeruginosa, which thrives on many hospital surfaces, and on equipment, is well known for its ability to develop tolerance to most commonly used antibiotics. Persister bacteria cells are becoming provisionally hyper-resistant to antibiotics, meaning they can survive normally lethal levels. “Few products are as effective against such a broad spectrum of pathogens as Tuffie 5,” he said. “We have been working with Trusts across the UK, ensuring Tuffie 5 is incorporated into their local infection control policies, and are positive that the product will continue to provide an alternative to chlorine based-cleaning agents, as recognised in the NHS Saving Lives initiative, “High Impact Intervention No 7: Care bundle to reduce the risk from C. difficile.”
