Bactiguard launches tool to reduce healthcare associated infections
Urinary tract infections resulting from the use of indwelling urinary catheters are one of the most common healthcare associated infections, causing patient suffering and a large financial strain on healthcare systems. These infections can also result in more serious complications such as bloodstream infections with high mortality rates. These infections are frequently treated with antibiotics, which increases the risk of emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Better knowledge of the proper treatment of patients requiring catheters is one way to reduce catheter-related urinary tract infections, which can occur when bacteria migrate into the catheter through the inner lumen and along the outer exterior. Bacteria colonize the catheter and form biofilm which gives them the optimal environment to grow. Biofilm protects bacteria from the body’s immune system and antibiotics.
With the aim to reduce these infections, we have developed an educational material, our Clinical Implementation Program (BIP CIP) in collaboration with Karolinska University Hospital, represented by two experts: Helena Thulin, PhD, works as urology nurse at the urology department and Märta Lauritzen, also urology nurse and head of urotherapy department.
"When I educate other health professionals I often speak about the difference between infections which occur during a catheterization procedure and those which occur during the time of treatment. Infections may either arise when we inadvertently insert bacteria into the patient’s urinary tract during catheterization, which is at times avoidable if the catheterization procedure is carried out with utmost care. Or, infections can be caused by bacteria in the urinary tract forming a biofilm on a catheter which results in an infection,” explains Helena Thulin.
Today, catheter care is managed by a variety of different professionals, from nurses, to urotherapists to other caregivers. All with varying levels of education and levels of knowledge on the importance of correct handling of catheters to avoid infections.
“The cooperation with Bactiguard is a great example of how healthcare can work together with businesses to ensure good quality care. We have contributed our expertise and experience in patient care; Bactiguard have the knowledge on the most appropriate communication methods and the channels to disseminate the material,” continues Märta Lauritzen.
Our vision at Bactiguard is to define the universal standard of healthcare to prevent healthcare associated infections caused by medical devices. We aim to accomplish this together with a variety of stakeholders that include decision makers, academia and the healthcare sector. Our technology and products are one part of the solution; but surveillance to measure the level of healthcare associated infections, preventive actions such as hygiene routines, training of staff and adequate treatment are all vital to reduce the number of HAIs.
“We have now taken a major step toward this goal by launching our Clinical Implementation Program (BIP CIP) with specialized training for health professionals on treatment with indwelling urinary catheters. Key components are the educational films that describe catheterization procedures which reduce the risk of urinary tract infections,” says Nina Nilsson, Marketing Director at Bactiguard.
For further information, please contact:
Nina Nilsson, Marketing Director, mobile: +46 702 148 749
About Bactiguard
Bactiguard is a Swedish medtech company with a mission of preventing healthcare associated infections, reducing the use of antibiotics and saving lives by developing and supplying infection prevention solutions for the healthcare industry. The company’s patented coating prevents healthcare associated infections by reducing bacterial adhesion and growth on medical devices. Bactiguard®-coated urinary catheters are market leading in the US and Japan, and in recent years the company has developed its own product portfolio of catheters for the urinary and respiratory tract and the blood stream. Bactiguard is currently in a strong expansion phase, focused on new markets in the Europe, Middle East, Asia, South America and Southern Africa. The company has market presence in some 50 countries and has about 60 employees. Its headquarters is located in Stockholm and production facilities in Sweden and Malaysia. Bactiguard is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Read more about Bactiguard at www.bactiguard.com
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