MK Electric has launched a new anti-bacterial cable management solution for power and data distribution in environments where hygiene is a priority in the guise of Prestige 3D Antibac Blue.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) are of intense concern to Government, the general public and healthcare professionals alike. While the total number of infections is falling, figures still reveal that there would have been over 31000 HCAIs in 2008. There is also a heavy financial cost to the NHS. Although definitive figures are not available; the Health Protection Agency cites an estimate from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s of £1 billion p.a. One source cites a figure of £8 billion.

For example, patients with a HCAI incurred hospital costs on average three times those of uninfected patients, equivalent to an additional £3,000 per case and on average stayed in hospital 2.5 times (or 11 days) longer; not to mention the cost of compensation where negligence was shown.

The ‘cost’ of negative perception of the NHS resulting from HCAIs should not be overlooked either; as regularly evinced by critical media reporting of infections and the implication of sloppy, penny-pinching or ineffectual hospital hygiene regimes.

MK Electric’s new Prestige 3D Antibac Blue is designed to kill bacteria which can grow on surfaces such as trunking systems. It uses a silver based additive inherent within the PVC-u which acts as an effective weapon in fighting harmful bacteria such as MRSA, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

With Prestige 3D Antibac Blue, MK now offers a complete anti-bacterial solution. By complementing the range with the company’s Logic Plus wiring devices; the entire installation will meet the requirements of an anti-bacterial specification. As the trunking and wiring devices are both open to contact, the control of the spread of bacteria and infections can only be effective with such a complete solution.

The silver additive within the system is a bactericide and so, obviously, kills bacteria rather than just restricting its growth. As the additive is homogenous with the PVC-u compound the, protection runs throughout. There is no loss of effectiveness where the trunking lengths are cut on-site; or if the surface becomes scuffed or scratched.

As additive depends on intimate contact between surfaces of the trunking and the user, any barriers such as grease will reduce or negate the its effect. Consequently, it is not intended to replace standard cleaning regimes as it can only operate efficiently if the surfaces are kept free of dirt and grime.

The anti-bacterial additive used in Prestige 3D Antibac Blue is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and compliant with the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD). The additive provides effective protection against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, unlike some other anti-bacterial additives which are only effective against gram positive bacteria.

MK Electric has commissioned independent tests to verify the anti-bacterial properties of Prestige 3D Antibac Blue. The results, collected over a 24 hour period shows results of >99.9% kill rates on both MRSA and Klebsiella pneumoniae. It has also commissioned independent tests to verify the anti-bacterial properties of Logic Plus. The results, collected over a 24 hour period shows results of 99.9% kill rates on MRSA and 98.9% kill rates on Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Email: mk@facta.co.uk