Germgard's ultra fast hand hygiene solution protects against deadly MRSA, C difficile, and influenza virus
For Release April 28, 2009
DOVER, NJ -
In an effort to provide technology to reduce
healthcare-associated infections, Germgard Lighting LLC, a
New Jersey-based, early phase, medical device company has
demonstrated its patented ultra-fast (~1 second) Hand Hygiene
solution. The solution is designed to protect hospital patients
and medical professionals from exposure to dangerous, life-threatening
pathogens in healthcare facilities. It enables effective, frequent
and instantaneous hygiene practice at the immediate point of care.
Germgard provides the solution for the philosophy enunciated by
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which has produced
an infection prevention video to be shown to patients entering
the hospital. The goal of the video is to teach patients to
demand effective hand hygiene from healthcare workers and
doctors, who will take care of them during their stay, as well
as visitors so that the patient is not exposed to pathogens
leading to an infection.
The message of the video is "Demand that doctors, healthcare
workers, and all visitors wash their hands or use alcohol rub
each and every time they are about to touch you or your surround."
summarizes Germgard CEO, Dr. Eugene I. Gordon. He adds, "It warns
that hands are contaminated by every surface they touch in the
room and inevitably will transfer pathogens to the patient unless
the hands are sanitized just before touching the patient."
The Germgard philosophy has been that although the goal is obvious
and sound there is no practical way a doctor and healthcare worker
can spend 30 seconds or more sanitizing their hands each and every
time they must touch the patient. That would add many minutes to
the time with each patient and that is prohibitive. Moreover the
skin of the hand would get irritated from so much hand washing or
use of alcohol rubs.
Gordon emphasizes, "The CDC is correct about the cause of hospital
acquired infections, but they recommend a solution that is not
practicable."
Germgard's unique solution for hand hygiene will resolve the
persistent issues of speed, efficacy, and skin irritation that
have long plagued hand hygiene practice in hospitals and clinics,
and placed at risk millions of patients as well as the financial
well being of healthcare. It will also find applications in
schools and food service establishments.
... full article (pdf)