| |
Industrial Support is a specialist contract
cleaning company operating primarily within the NHS sector.
As part of our contracted duties we undertake ‘deep cleaning’
of operating theatres within NHS hospitals. In the past we have
used a product called ‘Actichlor’ however, as this
product is semi-toxic and has a long-term detrimental effect on
fixtures and fittings, we sought an alternative.
We have been using the Greenbridge product D-Stroy/Activ8 for general
cleaning purposes within NHS hospitals for some eight months now.
Due to the excellent results achieved (supported by the HPA and
Toxicology reports) we decided to also use D-Stroy/Activ8 on the next
operating theatre deep clean instruction. This was received and
carried out in February on a theatre that had been out of commission
for six months.
Following completion of the deep clean and prior to the theatre
being available for operations again, the specialist NHS Infection
Control team tests it for micro-organisms. The ‘acceptable’
upper limit is 35 parts per million, with the previously used
‘Actichlor’ typically achieving a result of 20 to
25 parts per million.
Following the first use of D-Stroy/Activ8, the Infection Control test
showed 12 parts per million. There then followed the final refurbishment
of the theatre followed by a further deep clean using D-Stroy/Activ8.
The test results this time showed just 7 parts per million (a
result, to my knowledge, never before achieved).
My conclusion is therefore that D-Stroy/Activ8: (1) is far more effective
than the currently available alternatives, and (2) is quicker,
easier and cheaper to use as it is non-toxic so requires the cleaners
to have no special training or to wear additional protective clothing.
Industrial Support was created in 2000, with support from UBHT,
to undertake all different types of work not then, within the
capabilities of UBHT staff, By 2001, we had become a specialist
cleaning company, undertaking major outbreaks of Norwalk Virus,
abactor and any specialized deep cleans for MRSA etc. About 14
months ago, we took over the cleaning of Cardiac and general theatres
on a permanent basis, and we have acquired the knowledge through
Infection Control to maintain the highest possible standards.
We also undertake specialist cleaning tasks for Bristol City Council
and The University of Bristol, and have passed Ministry inspections
of university facilities at first attempt.
The main aim of the company has become, over the years, to fight
infection and disease and to equip ourselves with the latest developments
in chemicals and procedures that will help us to achieve this
aim. With this as the aim, we agreed to test D-Stroy/Activ8.
THE USE OF D-Stroy/Activ8 IN NON CLINICAL AREAS
My staff and I have now used D STROY in non clinical areas, and
have compared it to other cleaning agents.
Some of the findings are as follows:-
In its floor cleaning form, D-Stroy/Activ8 has been found to be excellent.
It has low foaming characteristics which is excellent for use
with machinery. It cuts through grease, dissolves blood and
leaves the floor smear free. Because of the even finish, my
staff thought that it contained a certain amount of polish.
In its normal spray form on walls and worktops, they again found
it to be one of the best we have ever used. We have found few
things that will remove felt tip pen, but with D-Stroy/Activ8, we found
that after about 2 minutes it started to break the felt tip
down, and another few wipes ensured the removal. The same effect
was found with dried blood. The effect on stainless steel is
to leave it clear and bright.
Although not designed as a window cleaner, I have actually tried
it on the windows in my van, and have been more than impressed
with the result. I would be quite happy to put it into a jest
wash and I think the same effect would be achieved as with vehicle
cleaner.
As a cleaning agent, this is the only real, all round cleaner
that I would have no hesitation on using on all surfaces from
taps to ceilings. It gives me, as a professional, the results
that I require. If it is licensed, and proved to do what the
manufacturer says that it will do on the Germ and Viral side
– this would be an excellent cleaner for clinical areas.
My company would then purchase it without question.
There are other products on the market that will achieve the
cleanliness, but not one cleaner that will cover the spectrum
that D-Stroy/Activ8 does. Its ease of use also ensures that even the
least adequate cleaner can achieve good results and the hazards
that are involved with D-Stroy/Activ8 are minute compared to other
cleaners. After felling trees, and getting covered in open scratches,
I used D-Stroy/Activ8 for the week, without using any gloves, and did
not get any infections, rednesses etc. All the scratches healed
as normal.
I sincerely hope that this product goes into production and
becomes freely available, so that the cleaning industry can
benefit from its capabilities.
My staff and I endorse D-Stroy/Activ8 as an excellent all round cleaner.
FIELD TEST FOR D-Stroy/Activ8
As part of our normal operations we were given a re-furbished
theatre to decontaminate and to leave fit for surgical operations.
I decided to use D-Stroy/Activ8 and as we have used it in different places
before, as the theatre was going to be air tested and swabbed,
this would be an excellent test to see if D-Stroy/Activ8 would work in
real life. The theatre had taken six months to complete and in
that time had only been brushed. The first clean was to remove
rubble, dust and wipe down with D-Stroy/Activ8 to make the theatre suitable
for fire drills etc.
The second clean was run by infection control that would carry
out the test when everything was completed. The rooms were first
fogged to four microns using D-Stroy/Activ8 taken at the normal ratio,
all corners, flat surfaces and equipment was sprayed with trigger
switches. Ceilings, walls and light fittings were then flat mopped
using D-Stroy/Activ8.
The floor was then machine scrubbed using the floor ratio mix.
The whole unit was again fogged with the same mixture as before;
the unit was then sealed with tape. 24 hours later the unit was
swabbed. I was informed it was a very low count, the result came
back 24 hours after being tested and the theatre was passed for
surgical operations. What can be said, an independent authority
did this and it passed first time. I think this proved its worth
in real working environment.
Kevin Mitchell
Industrial Support
13 Binley Grove, Stockwood, Bristol, BS14 8HR
Telephone 01275 541470
Mobile 07900 491651
|
