Primel demonstrates superior efficacy and sustained antimicrobial effect in the first of its kind clinical trial at Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust; results prove the need for change in healthcare hand hygiene procedures

UK Breaking news

11th December 2024: Primel, a leading provider of innovative infection prevention infrastructure, has announced the results from a first-of-its-kind clinical trial at Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust of its Primel Active Hand Shield (PAHS) technology. In the trial, PAHS demonstrated an average of 91% higher antimicrobial efficacy after 1 hour, compared to the current standard of care hand sanitizer at 15 minutes. This is the world’s first-hand hygiene product that has both a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and long lasting (residual) efficacy, so providing much improved protection for patients. Use of this innovative product will improve patient safety, addressing the current challenges of hand hygiene compliance by healthcare workers, and reduce the cost and burden of healthcare associated infections. These unrivalled efficacy results that include the first broad spectrum efficacy with sustained protection, that is effective against pathogens such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile and norovirus. This highlights the evolution of Primel’s infection prevention solution and provides an opportunity to review national and international health policies for safer hand hygiene.

“With hospital-acquired infection rates such as Clostridium difficile currently increasing annually within UK hospitals, and the challenges of spreading antimicrobial resistance, new solutions are needed to cut infection risks in healthcare settings,” explains Prof Mark Wilcox. “The results from the Lancashire Teaching Hospital trial show Primel Active Hand Shield’s superior efficacy over current alcohol hand hygiene sanitisers that are in widespread use in the NHS. This novel hand hygiene product offers the chance to break the infection transmission cycle and, importantly, provide increased safety for patients, healthcare professionals and visitors. Going forwards, infection prevention guidelines need to consider this novel way of improving hand hygiene” he concludes.

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Hospital-acquired infections, like E. coli or C. diff, pose a serious challenge in healthcare settings globally. Each year, about 15-25% of hospitalized patients are affected by HAIs worldwide. The NHS suffers a substantial economic burden (an estimated £2.7 billion per year) from HAIs causing prolonged hospitalization, high treatment costs and increased risk of complications. 

In recent years, the healthcare industry has increasingly explored new strategies to counter the dissemination of challenging pathogens such as C. diff and other superbugs. One of the main treatments for these infections is taking different courses of antibiotics. However, the constant prescription of antibiotics is leading us to develop antibiotic resistance, making HAIs more difficult to treat. As a prevention measure instead of treatment, Surface Active Therapeutics have emerged as a particularly promising avenue in the realm of infection control.

What are Surface Active Therapeutics?

Surface Active Therapeutics are advanced treatments applied directly to the skin (or a surface) to provide highly effective and sustained antimicrobial protection. They involve using enhanced antimicrobial materials that form a continuous protective shield over the skin. This shield is made of a polymer matrix, which combines active and passive components to guard against harmful pathogens.

The material forms spikes that stay on surfaces like skin, ensuring long-lasting effectiveness. The polymer matrix is designed to actively attract and target live pathogens and disinfect them within seconds. Additionally, it can disrupt and stop the formation of biofilms (without physical abrasion), making it an innovative approach to combat a wider range of infections effectively.

By implementing Surface Active Therapeutic solutions, users for the first time will benefit from sustained protection against the broadest spectrum of pathogens being killed, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as drug-resistant variants (such as E. coli and MRSA), enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (e.g. Influenza, Norovirus and SARS-CoV-2), fungi, and spores (such as Clostridium difficile).

Benefits of Surface Active Therapeutics

In addition to their immediate benefits for the improvement of patient safety, Surface Active Therapeutics such as TridAnt ^®, an antimicrobial solution which powers products from Primel, have deep implications for healthcare systems and their finances. By curbing the transmission of C. diff infections and other HAIs, these technologies could play a vital role in reducing the economic strain linked with prolonged hospital stays, treatment costs and associated complications. Their widespread use in healthcare environments would allow for a better standard of care. Furthermore, these innovative technologies provide a route to improve compliance by bridging the gap in infection prevention by sustaining your protection between applications or hand washes. Its preventative technology enables you to disinfect the surfaces when your skin is in contact with them, therefore beating superbug infections before they ever occur. In addition, the added protection improves operational efficiency and reduces the number of products used. This enables healthcare services to improve patient safety and outcomes whilst increasing and growing the efficiency of healthcare systems.  

This technology can significantly impact other priorities within the healthcare systems, such as reducing antimicrobial resistance, easing reliance on single-use items and allowing for enhanced protection against pathogens for all individuals within healthcare facilities. The use of Surface Active Therapeutics provides a new system to improve patient safety, enhance infection prevention infrastructure and evolves the efficiency and efficacy within healthcare systems. 

The Adoption of Surface Active Therapeutics

Despite the advanced nature of the technology, Surface Active Therapeutics are straightforward for hospitals to adopt. The first available technology, Primel’s Active Hand Shield, is applied effortlessly: one spray per side of the hand (four sprays in total), and then spread the solution around your palms and fingers to give you complete protection. Overall, this type of solution follows a simple “Shield Up, Shield Down” approach (as opposed to the more complicated five moments of touch). By way of an example, a medical professional would apply a Surface Active Therapeutic at the beginning of their shift (Shield Up) to be protected for the entire duration of the shift. The individual does not need to reapply (Shield Boost), apart from in the following circumstances: washing hands (after activities including a toilet break or getting soilage on your hands), or conducting an aseptic procedure. By undertaking this simple regime, a medical professional would guarantee their hands are protected for the entirety of their working shift, even when they are touching other surfaces or interacting with patients.

What’s Next?

In envisioning a future where Surface Active Therapeutics become the cornerstone of infection prevention, we see a world where these advanced solutions are seamlessly integrated into everyday healthcare practices, making disinfection of pathogens as simple and automatic as touching a surface. This new regime is a revolutionary shift towards a streamlined, universally accessible system that ensures the highest standards of hygiene and patient safety. The simplicity of their application – a quick spray and spread – ensures that every patient, professional and visitor of healthcare services can easily adopt this protective measure and significantly reduce the risk of HCAIs.

Primel® Active Hand Shield is the only Surface Active Therapeutic to provide fast acting antimicrobial protection that is sustained throughout the day, actively combating a wide spectrum of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant superbugs and spores, whilst constantly stopping the transmission of germs by disinfecting surfaces with your touch. By embedding this technology into routine healthcare protocols, the spread of infections like C. diff and MRSA can be drastically curtailed whilst enabling focus on other chronic illnesses. This approach not only alleviates the economic burden of HCAIs on systems like the NHS but also contributes to the broader battle against antibiotic resistance, enhancing patient safety and improving sustainability to fortify public health services on a global scale.

This new era represents a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare, where the focus is on preventing infections before they occur. With committed investment and widespread adoption, Surface Active Therapeutics can become the norm, ushering in a new age of infection control where everyone, from patients to healthcare professionals, benefits from a safer and healthier environment.

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Historically, it was demonstrated in the early 1800s that soap and water had limited efficacy compared to alcohol-based hand sanitisers. While these solutions offered an initial improvement, they have since become commonplace, with little distinction among them. Standard hand sanitisers share similar levels of efficacy, application times, and lack residual protection. This deficiency poses a substantial risk of re-contamination once individuals touch surfaces, as these products evaporate quickly and fail to linger on the skin long enough to combat pathogens effectively.

Even in surgical settings, hand hygiene solutions have become indistinguishable from one another, resulting in a commoditised and ineffective response to a critical challenge, particularly within healthcare facilities. Paradoxically, these well-intentioned solutions, when overused, can even harm those who rely on them most.

Due to the limitations of current offerings, healthcare professionals and patients alike have grown apathetic towards proper hand hygiene protocols, showing an overall compliance to hand hygiene protocols of only 40% (a far cry from the WHO’s benchmark off 90% for critical care areas). This apathy translates into low compliance rates, even in the most critical healthcare areas. This combination of factors leads to higher infection rates and the increased transmission of HCAIs.

The question at hand is how we can innovate within this landscape to overcome these limitations and foster a culture of improved hand hygiene. Healthcare-Associated Infections are complex challenges, particularly within the healthcare setting. They demand state-of-the-art solutions derived from advanced and tightly regulated technologies.

The Need for Innovation in Hand Hygiene

A fundamental shift in our approach is required, going beyond the ordinary and striving for something extraordinary. The goal of this innovation should not be to simply replace one hand hygiene product with another, but to address the limitations of the current infrastructure, practices, and hand hygiene culture in order to genuinely reduce HCAIs.

To achieve this, we must look to proven technologies in the realm of medical devices as well as pharmaceuticals and apply that expertise to hand hygiene. We need solutions that surpass the quick application of sanitisers and instead offer:

Contact-Kill Technology: Swift Protection Against Pathogens

Despite their widespread use, traditional hand sanitisers often fall short in providing rapid and effective protection against pathogens. Their alcohol-based formulas may eliminate some germs, but not all, and they evaporate quickly, leaving hands vulnerable to re-contamination.

Innovation in hand hygiene calls for “Contact-Kill Technology” that immediately neutralises pathogens upon contact. This approach ensures that harmful microbes are effectively eliminated the moment a person encounters them. This revolutionary concept is a game-changer, especially in healthcare settings where every second counts in preventing the spread of infections.

Kill-On-Touch: Empowering Users to Disinfect Surfaces

Hand hygiene is not just about safeguarding our own health, but also about protecting others. A ground-breaking innovation in hand hygiene should enable users to contribute to a cleaner and safer environment.

Kill-On-Touch technology empowers individuals to disinfect surfaces they touch. This capability extends the impact of hand hygiene beyond personal protection, creating a collective effort to reduce the transmission of HCAIs. Imagine doorknobs, elevator buttons, and shared equipment automatically sanitised by the very hands that touch them. Such an innovation can significantly reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings and beyond.

Continual Residual Protection: Extending the Safety Net 

Traditional hand hygiene methods offer only temporary protection, as the effectiveness of standard hand sanitisers diminishes quickly once the alcohol evaporates. This leaves individuals vulnerable to contamination until their next opportunity for hand hygiene arises. 

To address this issue, we must embrace “Continual Residual Protection” as a solution. This innovative technology creates a lasting barrier against pathogens, providing individuals with ongoing protection even hours after application. By reducing the risk of cross-contamination and the transmission of HCAIs, this approach extends the safety net of hand hygiene. 

Skin Health Maintenance: Balancing Efficacy and Comfort 

One of the challenges in achieving high compliance rates in hand hygiene is the discomfort and inconvenience associated with traditional products. Frequent hand hygiene can take a toll on skin health, leading to dryness, irritation, and even dermatological conditions. In fact, a recent survey by the Royal School of Nursing has found that 51% of nurses experience skin problems such as itchiness, redness or irritation on the hands/wrists, of which nearly half (42%) reported they experience these symptoms all or nearly all the time. This results in decreased compliance among healthcare professionals. 

To foster a culture of improved hand hygiene, it is crucial to consider the well-being of those practicing it. Innovative hand hygiene solutions should prioritise “Skin Health Maintenance” as a core feature. These products not only effectively kill pathogens but also support skin health, even with frequent use. They should provide a pleasant experience, easy application, and seamless integration into daily routines. By prioritising comfort and skin integrity, healthcare professionals and individuals are more likely to adhere to stringent hand hygiene practices, reducing the risk of HCAIs. 

Broad Spectrum Efficacy: Protecting Against a Wide Range of Pathogens 

The battle against HCAIs involves combating various types of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. To effectively address this challenge, a comprehensive hand hygiene solution must offer broad spectrum efficacy.

Innovations should undergo rigorous testing to prove their effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens commonly found in healthcare settings. By equipping healthcare professionals and individuals with the means to combat the diversity of microbes encountered, the risk of HCAIs can be minimised. 

Proven Effectiveness: Demonstrated Superiority Over Existing Standards 

Innovation in hand hygiene goes beyond introducing new products; it entails delivering solutions that surpass existing standards of care. The adoption of new technologies in healthcare should be based on empirical evidence demonstrating their superiority. 

In the pursuit of innovative hand hygiene, it is vital to prioritise proven effectiveness. Rigorous scientific studies and real-world data should substantiate claims of improved protection against HCAIs. By adopting an evidence-based approach, hand hygiene practices can be driven by demonstrable results, ensuring the highest level of effectiveness.

Minimal Environmental Impact: Sustainability and Responsibility

In today’s era of growing environmental consciousness, it is crucial to consider the ecological footprint of hand hygiene products and prioritise a minimal environmental impact. By using sustainable materials, reducing waste, and minimising the carbon footprint associated with production and disposal, innovative hand hygiene solutions can align with sustainability goals and create a holistic approach to healthcare that extends to our planet’s well-being.

The Role of Regulatory Authorities

Innovation in hand hygiene must go hand-in-hand with regulatory oversight. Regulatory authorities play a crucial role in ensuring that new hand hygiene technologies and products meet rigorous safety and efficacy standards. Close collaboration between innovators and regulatory bodies is essential to bring novel solutions to market, expediting the development and approval of innovations that genuinely reduce the transmission of HCAIs.

Furthermore, regulatory authorities can encourage innovation through incentives and grants that boost research and development efforts. This ensures that the best and most effective hand hygiene solutions are brought to the forefront, benefiting healthcare facilities and ultimately improving patient safety and quality care.

The Economics and Value of Innovation in Hand Hygiene

While innovations in hand hygiene may come at a cost, the economic implications of HCAIs far outweigh the investment required for cutting-edge hand hygiene solutions. HCAIs result in increased healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, and human suffering. By investing in advanced hand hygiene solutions, healthcare facilities can reduce the incidence of HCAIs, demonstrate a commitment to patient safety and quality care, and reap benefits such as increased patient trust, positive reputational effects, and improved financial performance. 

In the quest for innovative hand hygiene solutions, it is crucial to foster a culture of improved hand hygiene. This culture extends beyond technology and products; it involves educating and engaging healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public on the significance of hand hygiene. Leaders in the healthcare industry can set an example by adhering to strict hand hygiene practices and advocating for their importance. Education programs, both within healthcare facilities and in the broader community, raise awareness about the role of hand hygiene in preventing infections. Empowering patients to take an active role in their own safety and encouraging adherence to hand hygiene practices among families and visitors also contribute to a safer healthcare environment. Government initiatives and public health campaigns further emphasise the importance of hand hygiene, creating a society that values and prioritises hand hygiene as a cornerstone of public health.

The Long-Term Benefits of Improved Hand Hygiene

The adoption of innovative hand hygiene solutions in healthcare can lead to a multitude of long-term benefits for both healthcare facilities and society as a whole. One of the most significant advantages is the reduction of healthcare costs. Hospital-acquired infections (HCAIs) often result in prolonged hospital stays, additional medical treatments, and increased resource utilisation. However, by preventing HCAIs through innovative hand hygiene practices, healthcare facilities can save substantial amounts of money in the long run. Furthermore, these innovations also contribute to improved patient outcomes. Patients who receive care in facilities with a strong hand hygiene culture are less likely to acquire infections during their stay. This results in quicker recoveries, reduced complications, and an overall enhancement of well-being. 

Patients trust healthcare facilities to provide safe and effective care. Therefore, facilities that prioritise innovative hand hygiene solutions demonstrate their commitment to patient safety. This commitment fosters trust and can lead to a positive reputation, attracting more patients in the long term. 

However, the benefits of improved hand hygiene extend beyond patients. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in the battle against HCAIs. By providing them with effective hand hygiene tools and promoting a culture of hand hygiene, healthcare facilities can ensure a healthier and more productive workforce. This, in turn, leads to reduced absences and increased morale. 

Moreover, innovations in hand hygiene have a positive impact on public health beyond healthcare facilities. The lessons learned and technologies developed in healthcare settings can be applied in other contexts, such as schools, public transportation, and workplaces. As we witnessed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, these advancements further reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, benefiting society as a whole. 

In a global society, it is important for us all to take responsibility for the environment and the planet. In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, sustainable hand hygiene practices and solutions contribute to a more responsible approach to healthcare. By reducing waste and utilising energy-efficient technologies, healthcare facilities can align with sustainability goals and contribute to a healthier planet.

Innovating hand hygiene in healthcare is more than just introducing new products; it involves revolutionising how we perceive and practice hand hygiene.

The existing hand hygiene solutions in healthcare have limitations, resulting in increased Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs) and low compliance rates. It is time for a paradigm shift that encompasses state-of-the-art technologies and a medically complete approach to hand hygiene.

To achieve enhanced hand hygiene and reduced HCAIs, we need to raise the bar and demand Contact-Kill Technology, Kill-On-Touch capabilities, continual residual protection, skin health maintenance with a long-term moisturising effect, broad spectrum efficacy, proven effectiveness, and minimal environmental impact. These innovations must be supported by empirical evidence and a commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and superior protection.

By embracing this journey of innovation, we can significantly reduce the burden of HCAIs, ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and patients, and elevate hygiene standards not only in healthcare but also in society as a whole. It is time to break free from convention and take bold steps towards a safer, healthier future.

The need for innovation in hand hygiene is evident, as current solutions fall short in effectively combating Healthcare-Associated Infections. Embracing advanced technologies, regulatory support, and a cultural shift towards improved hand hygiene practices can usher in a new era of healthcare safety, minimising the risks and burdens associated with HCAIs. Innovation is not just a choice; it is a necessity in the pursuit of a healthier and safer healthcare environment.

[1] Chavali S, Menon V, Shukla U. Hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in an accredited tertiary care hospital. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2014 Oct;18(10):689-93. doi: 10.4103/0972-5229.142179. PMID: 25316980; PMCID: PMC4195200.

[2] Parsons, V., Oxley, G., & Gould, D. (2020). (rep.). Survey exploring skin health issues among nursing staff in the UK: results of a national survey (pp. 3–19). London: Royal College of Nursing.

[3] World Health Organization (2009). 3. The burden of health care-associated infection. In WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care: First global patient safety challenge clean care is safer care (pp. 6–9). essay, World Health Organization.

[4] Gould, D. J., Moralejo, D., Drey, N., & Chudleigh, J. H. (2010). Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd005186.pub3

[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, February 25). Clean hands count for safe healthcare. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/patientsafety/features/clean-hands-count.html

[6] Kumar, S., & Preetha, G. (2012). Health promotion: An effective tool for global health. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 37(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.94009

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A study by the University of Porto, in Portugal, in collaboration with the Centro Hospitalar São João has found that there is a quantitative association between the number of times a surface is touched, and the amount of aerobic microbial soil retrieved from that surface. Put simply, the more times a surface is touched, the more contaminated it becomes. A study published in the Journal of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology has found that during a 12-hour shift, nurses establish contact with different surfaces an average of 821 times. The majority (58%) of these touchpoints are with, or in proximity, of patients, such as bed rails, bed tables and IV pumps. 

This puts care personnel at a special risk for infection and contagion. Although hospital staff are trained to keep adequate hygiene during their shifts, hand hygiene compliance rates are low amongst healthcare workers in England, leaving them vulnerable to disease, and even when hand hygiene protocols are followed with complete accuracy, they are not perfect. In cases of dire emergency, hand hygiene protocols may be skipped altogether in favour of reducing the amount of time needed to get to a patient’s bedside, and this in turn increases the chances for healthcare personnel to become infected.

Exposure comes in many forms for healthcare personnel, but typically it is through hand-to-hand contact (direct contact during an examination), indirect contact (fresh germs on surfaces, like doorknobs, sinks, etc.), or airborne (coughing, sneezing, flying mucus, etc.) germ transmission. In the healthcare sector, leaders must put a bigger focus on giving their personnel effective disinfection options that are also quick and efficient even in case of emergency, so that they can continue to live quality lives while caring for the most vulnerable.

What can be done to break the transmission cycle?

To reduce the infection transmission cycle, more is required to protect the doctors and nurses working to heal the patients. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought forth major developments in infection control and antibacterial technology. Companies like Primel, which focuses on providing antimicrobial solutions to the patient care sector, have developed longer-lasting antimicrobial solutions that are specifically designed with hospital staff in mind. 

Primel’s TridAnt®, for example, is a revolutionary coating technology that incorporates active and passive components to create the first truly non-leaching, effective, safe and durable antimicrobial coating which lasts for up to 48 hours on the skin. The intended result is a significant improvement in hand protection, and therefore, less risk to the staff caring for the patients. The key difference between TridAnt® and other solutions is that TridAnt®’s protective technology transfers from the skin to the surfaces touched, spreading its disinfectant properties to the most common touchpoints in hospitals and care areas. This makes it an effective disinfectant even in cases of emergency when reducing the amount of time that it takes doctors and nurses to get to the patients is of upmost importance. 

This new technology that enhances the protection of medical personnel while being fully biocompatible with its environment represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of hygiene within hospitals and clinical environments. A widespread adoption of this new approach to skin hygiene will keep healthcare personnel healthy by reducing their risk of contracting infections from their patients, not only by killing existing microbes on their skin, but also by preventing the formation of new colonies on the surfaces they touch. Additionally, it will help clinical environments take one more step towards the effective sterilisation of patient areas.

It is time to break the infection cycle.

Overall, Primel’s TridAnt® significantly reduces the infection risk associated with medical procedures and actively reduces the contamination of pathogens within a patient. It is an important addition to the arsenal available to medical professionals in the fight against life threatening infections and diseases derived from direct contact with sick patients. This enhances the well-being of all medical personnel that comes into contact with patients, as well as allowing for more effective and efficient procedures for professionals.

The technology required to break the infection cycle in the healthcare industry already exists. Now it is up to healthcare leaders to make the change.

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5 September 2024 – Primel, a leading provider of innovative infection prevention solutions, is pleased to announce it has been accepted into the Clean Hospitals Association, furthering its commitment to promoting hygiene-first healthcare practices. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in Primel’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare standards globally by providing Surface Active Therapeutic technologies to directly confront the highest vectors of infection within the healthcare system.

The Clean Hospitals Association is an International Centre of Excellence in Public Health that is dedicated to achieving a high quality of care and optimal protection with the safety of patients and hospital staff as the core focus. Clean Hospitals seeks to harness the collective strengths of industry, academia, hospitals, governmental bodies and key stakeholders to collaborate across disciplines and interest groups. The purpose of the initiative is to increase patient safety and bring international attention to the need for an increased focus on hospital environmental hygiene.

“Serving our community with exceptional healthcare solutions has always been our top priority. Joining the Clean Hospitals Association underscores our dedication to continuously improving and upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in healthcare delivery,” stated Dr. Sajinder Luthra, Chief Operating Officer of Primel.

Primel® Active Hand Coating is developed from TridAnt®, a biocompatible antimicrobial technology that is able to kill spores, non-enveloped and enveloped viruses, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as drug resistant bacteria and yeast, for use on class 3, long-term medical implants, without any noticeable reduction in efficacy.

“Achieving prolonged residual efficacy in hand hygiene products is often considered the holy grail in infection prevention,” explained Dr. David J. Weber, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at UNC School of Medicine. “By joining forces with Clean Hospitals, Primel is poised to make significant advancements in this crucial area, enhancing the safety and well-being of patients and healthcare workers alike.”

Through its membership of Clean Hospitals, Primel aims to leverage collective expertise and resources to enhance its operations and contribute to the advancement of healthcare practices globally. By adhering to the association’s rigorous standards and participating in collaborative initiatives, Primel remains steadfast in its commitment to providing superior healthcare solutions and positively impacting patient outcomes.

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21 March 2024 – Primel, a leading provider of innovative infection prevention solutions, has published today the results of a new study proving its Active Hand Shield has achieved a high level of sporicidal activity (>4 log > 99.99 % efficacy). The test was performed with a short contact time of 30 seconds against Clostridium difficile (C. diff) under clean and dirty conditions. This pathogen costs the global healthcare system an estimated $1.7 billion annually, with a CAGR of 10.2%.

C. diff infections present a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Being one of the most common hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), C. diff imposes a substantial economic burden on the NHS due to factors such as prolonged hospitalization, treatment costs, and increased risk of complications. Advanced age, hospital stays, and in some cases, antibiotic resistant strains, are key risk factors that further contribute to the challenge of C. diff infections. This pathogen is often referred to as a super bug: a spore with a unique outer protein coat that resembles chain mail, rendering it highly resistant to existing antibiotics and immune defences, and therefore extremely difficult to kill.

Primel® Active Hand Shield is the first product of its kind that kills C. diff within 30-seconds, with the longest continuous residual activity. Sporicidal activity was determined using the European standard EN 17126; the test for determining activity of disinfectants against the spore-forming bacteria Clostridium difficile. Further validating that Primel® Active Hand Shield achieves the longest continuous residual activity against the broadest spectrum of pathogens including Gram-positive & Gram-negative bacteria, enveloped & non-enveloped viruses, yeast and spores. The advanced Protect on Touch technology minimises transmission of pathogens by disinfecting surfaces with the users touch whilst wearing the Active Hand Shield. The combination of these revolutionary features sets a new standard in infection prevention, by reducing transmission rates of pathogens, enhancing operational excellence and evolving staff and patient safety. Proven through a recent care home study, it revealed that Primel®’s Active Hand Shield demonstrated a remarkable 75% effectiveness immediately after application, surpassing generic hand sanitizers by 23%. Moreover, it sustained effectiveness of 70% after one hour showcasing a 45% improvement over generic alternatives, highlighting its superior performance over time against the current standard of care today.

“I’ve long recognized the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat hospital-acquired infections,” said Prof. Mark Wilcox. “Such infections represent a clear drain on already stretched resources and are increasingly compounded by antibiotic resistant pathogens, underscoring the necessity for advancements in this field. Research to find novel products that can rapidly and effectively kill bacteria, viruses, and spores, ideally with residual, protective efficacy, is a high priority,” he concludes.

Primel’s technology is based on TridAnt®, a solution developed by strategic partner BioInteractions.

“Through over 30 years of work on developing solutions for BioInteractions, our team has created a coating that is able to kill pathogens including spores, such as C. diff, within 30 seconds, while remaining active on the skin,” says Dr Sajinder Luthra, Chief Operating Officer at Primel. “This is a global first—no other product has ever been able to offer this level of sustained microbial protection. This ultimately will contribute significantly to the issue of antibiotic resistance. We’ve shifted the rules of the game on fighting HAIs by creating an environment in which harmful pathogens can’t survive. C. diff is one the most difficult challenges we’ve faced so far, but we have created a unique solution which successfully tackles this pathogen,” she concludes.

For press & media enquiries please contact the Kredo Consulting team: +44 (0)1242 650571.

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Primel®, a leading provider of innovative infection prevention and utility solutions emerging from chronic, long-term medical devices, announces the results of two separate external laboratory evaluations of Primel^® Active Hand Shield. The first evaluation, set in a real-world care home, revealed that the application of Primel^® Active Hand Shield resulted in the recovery of 84% less viable microorganisms on the surfaces that the volunteers interacted with, compared to the established regularly used generic hand sanitiser. The second evaluation, performed by an accredited external laboratory, revealed that the solution has a long-lasting moisturising effect, even for sensitive skin types making it suitable to use for all individuals in healthcare facilities. These evaluations place Primel^® as the world leader in pioneering infection prevention solutions.

The comprehensive evaluations conducted provide compelling evidence of the superior effectiveness of Primel^® Active Hand Shield in comparison to the well-known, generic hand sanitisers currently in use. For example, Primel^® Active Hand Shield was 75% effective, which is 23% more effective at disinfecting pathogens compared to the comparison generic hand sanitiser after immediate application. Furthermore, the evaluation confirmed that Primel^® Active Hand Shield was 70% effective after one hour, which is 45% more effective than the comparison generic sanitiser, illustrating its superiority over generic hand sanitisers as time progresses. Additionally, the inside of the study subjects’ gloves were tested after the one-hour timepoint, whereby the gloves of Primel^® Active Hand Shield users were found to have 84% fewer pathogens. Overall Primel^® Active Hand Shield on average had 50% greater reduction in microorganisms against the generic hand sanitiser across all time points. The results demonstrate that Primel^® Active Hand Shield not only offers immediate protection but also maintains its efficacy over time, providing healthcare professionals with continued protection and reducing the risk towards themselves and their patients throughout and between their routine five moments of hand hygiene. Unlike existing hand sanitiser products, the evaluation conclusively demonstrates that Primel^® Active Hand Shield offers unmatched protection and evolves routine hand hygiene practices to be more effective and efficient. This breakthrough in infection prevention technology sets a new standard in infection control and safety for healthcare services.

Additionally, Primel announced that it successfully carried out Hydration and Irritation Dermatological testing at an accredited external laboratory to test the moisturising effect and skin compatibility of Primel^® Active Hand Shield over an extended period. Primel^® Active Hand Shield exhibited remarkable hydrating capabilities, outperforming untreated skin when tested after a single application. Notably, the product demonstrated consistent skin hydration even after the initial application, affirming its lasting moisturisation effect. The Irritation Test results further validate the gentle and skin-compatible nature of Primel^® Active Hand Shield. Dermatologically tested on all skin types, including sensitive skin, the product displayed no signs of irritation for an impressive 48-hour period. This achievement underscores Primel^® Active Hand Shield’s commitment to delivering a complete state-of-the-art solution which uses materials that are highly effective at enhancing protection as well as safe enough to apply onto class 3 medical implants for an improved infection prevention infrastructure and ultimately an evolved healthcare service for everyone.

“Our real-world care home evaluation clearly establishes the superior efficacy of Primel^® Active Hand Shield technology, especially when compared to the industry-leading sanitisers,” said Arjun Luthra, CEO at Primel. “However, we also wanted to demonstrate that our solution maintains its superiority when it comes to its skin safety and hydrating capabilities. This is why we’ve now conducted thorough dermatological testing and can confidently say that Primel^® Active Hand Shield has a long-lasting hydrating effect and is safe to use even on sensitive skin. These findings reinforce our commitment to providing healthcare professionals with innovative solutions that offer enhanced protection, peace of mind and proves that Primel^® Active Hand Shield truly is the product they will benefit from the most.

“The results of this evaluation are a testament to Primel^®‘s dedication to delivering exceptional healthcare solutions using innovative technologies that have been proven within medical devices for over 30 years. By consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation, Primel^® continues to empower healthcare professionals with products that not only safeguard their well-being for a wide variety of skin types including sensitive skin, but also provides enhanced infection prevention standards which improves compliance and evolves global healthcare services,” concludes Luthra.

Overall, the tests completed have proven that Primel^® Active Hand Shield can disinfect pathogens, including some of the most drug resistant microbes, in 15 seconds, significantly quicker than other regularly used products. The evidence created demonstrates a considerable increase in infection prevention measures thanks to the use of Primel^® Active Hand Shield for extensive periods of time and provides a fast and long-lasting protection against pathogens. Primel^® Active Hand Shield further evolves infection prevention infrastructure with “Kill-on-Touch” Technology and for the first time has enabled individuals to disinfect surfaces they touch and spread protection. The implementation of Primel^®‘s technology provides a straightforward solution for improving the protection against pathogens quicker, longer and better than ever before whilst simultaneously reducing the requirements to maintain hygiene practices and the infection prevention infrastructure within healthcare facilities, therefore working to evolve global healthcare services long-term.

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Primel®, the patient care-industry focused brand developing the latest technologies in health and hygiene, is today announcing the ground-breaking results from the controlled evaluation held in a care home in Manchester. The purpose was to compare the efficacy of Primel® Active Hand Shield powered by TridAnt® against a well-known regularly used hand sanitiser on the hands of 35 healthcare workers over a ten-day period. Perfectus Biomed Group, part of NAMSA, leaders in microbiology testing services for a variety of sectors including wound care, medical devices and infectious diseases conducted the care home evaluation. The results amongst other data demonstrated that Primel® Active Hand Shield provides superior protection against pathogens, including some of the most drug resistant microbes, on immediate application and over a prolonged period of time as well as showing surfaces were cleaner after contact.

The care home evaluation represents the first comprehensive comparison of a long-term hand sanitiser efficacy in a real-world scenario. The comparative evaluation recovered samples taken from the hands of healthcare workers at four different points, including:

• Before the application of either product (regularly used hand sanitiser and Primel® Active Hand Shield).
• Immediately after application of either product.
• During the one-hour period, the volunteers wore gloves which were collected, and samples taken from the inside at the end of the time period, to assess the transmission of germs from hands to gloves.

Overall, the analysis showed that application of Primel® Active Hand Shield resulted in the recovery of significantly less viable microorganisms compared to the established regularly used hand sanitiser across all time points. The evaluation first highlights that Primel® Active Hand Shield was 21% more effective after immediate application compared to the well-known regularly used hand sanitiser. The second result confirmed that Primel® Active Hand Shield was 46% more effective after one hour of use compared to the well-known regularly used hand sanitiser. Additionally, the inside of the volunteers’ gloves were tested after the one-hour timepoint, and the gloves of Primel® Active Hand Shield users were found to have 84% less pathogens. After immediate application Primel® Active Hand Shield was 75% effective and after 1 hour 72% effective, therefore maintaining its efficacy whilst the regularly used hand sanitiser dropped its efficacy considerably from 54% to 26%, respectively. Not only was Primel® Active Hand Shield able to maintain its efficacy, it was more effective at 1 h compared to the immediate effect of the regularly used hand sanitiser, demonstrating its superior performance.

Further testing has proven that Primel® Active Hand Shield can disinfect pathogens, including some of the most drug resistant microbes, in 15 seconds, significantly quicker than other options regularly used. The evidence created demonstrates a considerable increase in antimicrobial protection thanks to the use of Primel® Active Hand Shield. This confirms that the evolution from Primel® Active Hand Shield with “Kill-on-Touch” Technology was able to improve the protection against pathogens over prolonged periods of time whilst being able to reduce the amount that was transferred from surface to surface. Arjun Luthra, CEO of Primel, explains: “The care home evaluation has demonstrated Primel® Active Hand Shield’s superiority in hand protection when compared against existing standard of care which uses well-known and regularly used hand sanitiser products. Understanding the effectiveness of our Active Hand Shield in a real-world setting is crucial to improving hand hygiene strategies in health care settings. It supports the fact users are able to wash their hands once per patient which helps to improve the quality of care and productivity whilst saving time, water and consumables. Primel® Active Hand Shield has a long-term (48 hours) and broad spectrum of efficacy which includes Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses as well as yeast.

“The further significant result of this evaluation was Primel® Active Hand Shield’s ability to demonstrate its “Kill-on-Touch” Technology in a real-world scenario. This is the first time that a product, Primel® Active Hand Shield, was able to demonstrate the ability to disinfect the surface with a user’s touch. This proves that Primel® Active Hand Shield’s ‘Kill-on-Touch’ Technology was able to reduce the number of pathogens that are transferred from the hands of healthcare workers to surfaces they interact with. Overall, Primel® Active Hand Shield showed an increase in antimicrobial activity across all time points when compared to a well-known and regularly used hand sanitiser,” adds Luthra. This suggests that Primel® Active Hand Shield has a greater sustained antimicrobial efficacy than any other hand sanitiser on the market today.

The test report from Perfectus Biomed Group concluded: “Over ten days of sampling, Primel® Active Hand Shield achieved a significantly greater reduction in total viable recovery than the reference hand sanitiser one hour after application, both from the hands of the healthcare workers and the gloves that they were wearing. Primel® Active Hand Shield application resulted in a lower recovery of total viable organisms compared to the reference hand sanitiser immediately after application.”

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The launch of Primel®, a company focused on providing antimicrobial solutions for the patient care sector, was announced today at the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference. Primel® works closely with its strategic partner BioInteractions, the research and development company specialising in biomaterial technologies for the worldwide medical device industry.

Building on the success of TridAnt®, Primel® was founded to advance antimicrobial protection in all patient care environments. TridAnt®, developed by BioInteractions, is a revolutionary coating technology for medical devices that incorporates active and passive components to create the first truly non-leaching, effective, safe and durable antimicrobial coating which lasts for up to 365 days, and helps to save lives and time needed for medical treatments. The intended end result is the improvement in well-being and reduction in risks to both patients and professionals.

Regular washing of hands reduces the concentration of microbes on the skin but does not eliminate all of them. Every time two surfaces come into contact an exchange of microbes takes place. Primel®, with the help of TridAnt®, can keep hands protected even after they stop sanitising as well as break that cycle in every instance they touch a surface. Through the use of Kill-On-Touch Technology, the user is able to disinfect the surface they touch rather than transmit germs to it. The continued research of the team behind TridAnt® has resulted in a skin-safe antimicrobial technology that stays on the skin for two days and ensures the user is consistently protected.

“The launch of Primel® represents a paradigm shift in the way we approach patient care,” says Arjun Luthra, Chairman and CEO of Primel. “TridAnt® Touch Clean Technology stays on the skin for 48 hours, allowing for the first time, all care personnel to spread protection with their touch. TridAnt® is the only infection prevention infrastructure which consistently protects both the individual and the surfaces they touch.”

Frequently touched devices and surfaces in and around patient sites in the critical care environment are more likely to be heavily contaminated with microbial soil. There also appears to be a quantitative association between the number of times a surface is handled and the amount of aerobic microbial soil retrieved from that surface.[1] During an average 12-hour shift nurses touch a variety of surfaces 821 times. The majority (58%) of these touchpoints are with or in close proximity of patients.[2] Treating hands with the TridAnt® coating, in addition to regular washing, cuts the risk of cross contamination.

TridAnt® has been tested according to European standards EN 13727 (Bactericidal), EN 13624 (Yeasticidal), EN14476 (Virucidal) as well as EN 1500 (medical hand sanitiser) and EN 12791 (surgical hand sanitiser).

Primel® is at IPS booth 46 whereby it will be showcasing the benefits of its TridAnt® Touch Clean Technology. To organise a briefing, contact Kredo on sisitha@kredoconsulting.com.

[1] C.E. Adams et al. / Journal of Hospital Infection 95 (2017) 76e80 Hairmyres Hospital, NHS Lanarkshire.

[2] Huslage K, Rutala WA, Sickbert-Bennett E, Weber DJ, “A quantitative approach to defining high touch surfaces in hospitals”, Infect Cont and Hosp Epidemiol, 2010; 31 (8): 850-853.

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