The Head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association,
Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, suggested in a February 2006 interview that
doctors' ties should be considered a contributing vector in the rise
of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs).
Over 15 years ago we began accepting that
physician's attire could pose a threat of microbial contamination to
patients, especially surgical specialties (1). Dr. Steven Nurkin,
reporting at the Annual American Society of Microbiology May 2004
meeting, confirms that neckties can harbor and transmit dangerous
bacteria. As much as 1 in 4 neckties carried Staphylococcus
aureus and 1 in 8 harbored hospital-acquired bacteria, such as
Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and
Acinetobacter baumannii (2). Ties have the potential
therefore to act as a vector for the transmission of HAIs (3).
With healthcare
associated infections on the rise (affecting 2 million patients with
90,000 deaths annually) (4) the addition of a nano-treated necktie to
infection protection protocols could aid in the reduction of HAI
rates.
SafetyTies has been found resistant to 3 major
HAIs – MRSA, VRE and C. difficile.
Check out our Research
page to learn more about
the latest laboratory data on SafetyTies.
Take a look at SafetyTies new line of Doctor
Designs – medical-themed neckwear for the healthcare
professional on the go!
Medical institutions can take advantage of
custom necktie programs and special bulk pricing. Contact
SafeSmart, Inc. for more information at 904-824-5670
Wong. D. et al BMJ 1991: 303,1602-1604
*Source: "Is The Clinician's Necktie a
Potential Fomite for Hospital Acquired Infections," a study
presented at American Society for Microbiology meeting May 24, 2004,
New Orleans.
Steinlechner C, Wilding G & Cumberland N (2002)
Microbes on ties: do they correlate with wound infection? Ann
R. Coll Surg Eng (Suppl) 84:307-9.
Nanotechnology is a technical process
of working on an extremely small scale - each molecule is one
million times smaller than a grain of sand. This enables materials
to be engineered to perform special functions.
The nanotechnology treatment used in the
manufacturing of SafetyTies attaches to individual fibers,
essentially wrapping each fiber in a protective layer. The nano-coating forms a tough barrier
that locks out liquids, creases and bacteria without affecting the
quality or texture of the 100% silk fabric and
will last for the life of your necktie.
This cutting-edge process produces a superior and fashionable
necktie that is crease resistant, stain resistant, and most
importantly, antimicrobial - so you don’t have to carry your day
around with you.
Neckties have been clinically proven to
harbor enough harmful bacteria to transmit illness – some studies
showing almost half of neckties tested - why take a chance at
transmitting that bacteria?
Take a look at some of the news about neckties and Healthcare
Associated Infections (HCAI's).
