Antimicrobial products are in high demand and it’s no wonder why. It’s no secret that concern over workplace hygiene is rising at the same pace as incidents of hygiene related issues. A News.com article from last year reported that $90.4 million of productivity was lost due to sick days, caused just by the Flu or Flu-like viruses. According to Brett Mitchell, the Chair of a NHMRC committee revising national infection control guidelines,
Around 165,000 Australians contract infections in hospitals around the country every year, a study has found.
Antimicrobial Lockers are set to be one piece of the hygiene puzzle, contributing to a reduction in cross contamination risk.
Why do Healthcare Facilities Need Antimicrobial BioCote® Treated Lockers and Storage?
Surfaces such as lockers, storage cupboards, and other items are touched by both staff and patients. These surfaces can be a significant health risk as they serve as transfer sites for microbes, bacteria and other contagions. However, antimicrobial-treated surfaces can suppress the growth of microorganisms and limit the transmission of harmful microbes. This helps reduce patient and staff exposure to various viruses and bacteria which then lowers the risk of an infection. Using silver-based antimicrobials such as BioCote treated lockers from Statewide further reduces risks for staff because of the low toxicity compared to abrasive chemical cleaners.
The risk of cross contamination and loss of productivity puts health care officials, architects, product specifiers, business owners and other key decision makers on notice, because it becomes incumbent on them to identify weak spots within their facilities and find ways to overcome them. Statewide Office Furniture, in partnership with BioCote®, has just released a range of antimicrobial lockers and storage to assist all industries with addressing these risks.
So what is Antimicrobial?
The exact statement from BioCote is as follows:
Antimicrobial Technology is effective against a wide spectrum of microbes: this includes bacteria, mould, fungi and even viruses. Antibacterial Technology, on the other hand, is only effective against bacteria.
What this means for Statewide lockers, cupboards, and other storage products is that when supplied with BioCote treated powdercoat, the products will in fact be actively fighting against bacterial, microbes and mould. This short video is a time lapse, showing an unprotected surface vs a BioCote protected surface.
How Can Silver Based Antimicrobial BioCote treated lockers be used by Health Care facilities, gyms, schools and other workplaces?
A locker is touched by multiple patients and staff on a daily basis, which can potentially transfer germs and expose patients to contagions. If a surface is antimicrobial, it can help reduce bacteria and microbes on the locker and limit patients’ contact with dangerous microorganisms. Statewide Office Furniture recognised the antimicrobial efficacy of the Interpon powder coating and applied it to their newest product, the antimicrobial hygienic lockers. This new locker range features the antimicrobial powder coating on the entire surface, interior and exterior, inhibiting the growth of bacteria on the locker. Utilising an antimicrobial locker can help reduce the risk of cross contamination either on patient storage lockers during day surgery, or on staff lockers that are touched throughout the day.
Antimicrobial technology is a rapidly evolving science and the healthcare industry will soon see a drastic increase in antimicrobial products. When paired with a regular cleaning of soap and good hand hygiene procedures, antimicrobial treated products can be powerful weapons in the fight against infections.
Some Specific Benefits
- Reduction in Harmful Microbes: First and foremost, Statewide antimicrobial lockers and storage products have been validated and certified to exceed an antimicrobial performance of greater than 95% reduction in Microbes. You can view our Test Certificate – 08.10.2018. We specifically tested E. Coli and MRSA and passed with flying colours. Statewide is required to retest at a minimum every 12 months to ensure ongoing compliance of the antimicrobial claim.
- Easier to clean: Antimicrobial protection actually makes the treated products easier to clean. Microbes and bacteria actually decrease in quantity, it then becomes easier to keep the products hygienic. This reduces the risk of cross contamination. It does not replace a standard cleaning protocol, however it is a beneficial and complementary product.
- Lasts the lifetime of the product: The antimicrobial additive is built into the powder coat, before the coating is sprayed onto your lockers, cupboards or cabinets. It’s not a secondary layer. This means it can’t rub off or wear out.
- Reduction in odor: Our customers try a variety of things to reduce the build up of odors inside lockers. Schools have to contend with food stored in student lockers, hospitals have staff clothing and shoes, as well as patient lockers. Gym lockers are usually a shared system full of sweat. Door ventilation or forced air are one option, however antimicrobial lockers naturally inhibit the growth of smell-causing factors such as mould and bacteria.
Where to from here?
Ordering antimicrobial protected lockers or storage products is as easy as asking for it. Since the additive is in our White Satin powder coat, we can apply it to any of our range. If it’s steel, we can upgrade it. Not only is it available on our full range on the website, we also specialise in bespoke or custom products, meaning if you are working on a difficult project or space you do not need to compromise on hygiene. You can find out more on the Antimicrobial Products Page.
