Decorating initiative reduces infections

Recognising the bacteriostatic effect silver has on the growth of bacteria such as MRSA, Heartlands has redecorated its Research and Development Clinical Trials Department using materials that have been treated with a silver bactericide. Different areas of the department have been designed using various finishes, some with or without the silver additive and it is hoped that the trial will demonstrate a comparable reduction in sustained bacteria growth on the surfaces that have been treated.

As part of the redecoration, walls were painted using Dulux Trade Sterishield in a Diamond Matt finish. Sterishield is a washable emulsion that contains a non-hazardous active silver bactericide. Trials already carried out by Dulux Trade have shown that the product dramatically accelerates the decline of bacterial populations within 12 hours of contamination. This is a demonstrable improvement over standard paint on which bacteria can survive 48 hours or longer.