Antimicrobial fabric, what is it? What’s it made of? Why is it effective? What do you need to know about this specialty fabric and why is it great for use in so many products?
First, let’s define what antimicrobial means. The term ‘antimicrobial’ is defined as: “destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, and especially pathogenic microorganisms.”
Herculite Inc. is a trusted specialty fabric company whose medical textiles set the standard in the industry. Herculite’s Sure-Chek® brand healthcare fabrics are the original textiles that were patented for use as protective coverings.
Sure-Check was developed in cooperation with healthcare professionals whose opinions and guidance helped create the company’s comfortable, safe, and effective medical textiles. Originally, Sure-Chek was known as Staph-Chek® but was later renamed to its current title.
Did you know that a hospital acquired infection (HAI) occurs in about one of 25 hospitals every day? According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), there were 721,800 HAI infections in 2014; this is the most recent data published in 2016 by the CDC. While that number might be high, it’s still an improvement over years past, according to a CDC progress report.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), infectious diseases are a leading cause of illness and death worldwide.[1] In fact, healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals are estimated to affect one in 25 hospital patients on any given day, according to a CDC report.[2]
Did you know that sportswear, gauze, bed linen, mattresses, and even curtains can be made into antimicrobial fabrics? In fact, there are a variety of uses for antimicrobial fabrics, especially in medical bedding. You may not notice it but when you go to the hospital, your doctor’s office, or a clinic, you’re pretty much surrounded by antimicrobial fabrics.
Specialty performance fabrics are ubiquitous in our daily life. From boat covers, to awnings, from tents, to banner signs, we often forget how much these specialty fabrics are a part of our daily lives. However one of their original, and best uses, is as antimicrobial textiles for healthcare and indoor environments where control of disease and cleanliness are crucial.
When we think of beds, we associate them with comfort and a good night’s rest. But when we’re sick or ill and we have to stay at a hospital, we think of beds in a whole new light. What are they made of? How can a hospital bed help a patient?
Hospitals are a conglomeration of equipment and technology. But one thing we often take for granted is the simple curtain that we all use for privacy during a doctor’s visit or a hospital stay. Choosing the right medical fabric is important and takes time and consideration to find the right one.
This blog article was written by Leslie Haddad, Business Manager at Herculite Products, who has over 20 years of experience in textile development and innovation. Email contact: lhaddad@herculite.com
Pressure management mattresses have been a staple in the healthcare industry for generations with the aim of helping the elderly and bed-ridden sleep, rest and live more comfortably and the quality of this equipment has dramatically changed and improved over the past 20 years.
