UPM-Biofore-Magazine-2-2017-ENG

The excellent barrier properties of bio-based materials prevent infection. Patients find the materials comfortable to use.

health care providers are interested in using these products a lot more,” says Ali Harlin , research professor at the VTT Technical Research Centre

bugs’ likeMRSA has left health care facilities scrambling to strengthen their infection control processes. One of the ways in which the healthcare community is doing this is by moving away from reusable medical instruments to single-use, disposable ones. And while materials made of synthetic polymers form the largest portion of this market, the category of naturally-occurring bio-based products is growing significantly. Disposable materials on the rise Bio-basedmaterials are already being used for a number of applications such as wound care management, incontinence management, surgeries and even for gowns andmedical instrument wrapping. This is due to many reasons, including the excellent barrier abilities which prevent infection. The products are biocompatible and resistant to acids, alkalis andmicro- organisms. They are also breathable, whichmakes them ideal to be used in bandages and surgical dressing. “The patient might find bio-based materials comfortable to use. Plus, the moisture control is better, and this has a positive impact on wound healing, while helping bandages last longer. As a result,

Ali Harlin

in Finland.

Reusable products entail risks Improperly cleaned reusable products can spread infections very easily, and in modern hospitals that see hundreds of patients every day, the likelihood of an epidemic breaking out is very high. “A challenge with reusable alternatives is that since they are washed, reprocessed and used several times, it becomes difficult to ensure that the quality is consistently the same,” says Björn Carlzon , Global Franchise Director & Head of Marketing, Surgical solutions at Mölnlycke, a global provider of wound care and surgical solutions for healthcare professionals and patients. Studies have shown that the methods of cleaning are not always thorough enough, and washer-disinfectors often fail to kill off all contaminants. “The differences may not be visible to the naked eye, which increases the potential risk of contamination. With single-use alternatives, there is a fresh product every time, whichmakes quality

“On any given day, approximately one in 25 patients in the US has at least one infection contracted during the course of their hospital care, demonstrating the need for improved infection control in US healthcare facilities,” states the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) in its 2016 National and State Healthcare Associated Infections Progress report. As medical science evolves, so do diseases. The rise of antibiotic-resistant ‘super

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