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Infection Prevention


Infection Prevention ...dedicated to improving patients' lives Infection Prevention

Infections represent a vital risk for patients and healthcare professionals, so every step in the Infection Prevention process is critical.

High Prevalence and Cost of Infection
The prevalence of surgical site infections amongst the surgical patient population in the UK is 9% 1. Our goal at 3M is to help you to reduce the number of infections by offering a range of infection prevention products to reduce the risks, supported by infection prevention training and continuing professional development.

Effects of Healthcare Associated Infection
Those patients with hospital acquired infection remain in hospital on average two and a half times longer than an uninfected patient with the cost of that patient being 2.8 times greater 2. A study conducted in the UK (1994-1995) revealed that the cost of hospital acquired infection in a single district general hospital was estimated to be £3.6 million. The Central Public Health Laboratory (1999) estimates that the cost of hospital acquired infection in the UK is £930 million per annum. Each surgical site infection results in an additional 11 days of post-operative hospitalisation 3.

Reducing the Risk of Infection from Fluids
Our comprehensive 3M™ Steri-Drape ™ 9000 Surgical Drape range is made from a completely impervious fabric. Our surgical drapes ensure that the patient is protected from infectious vectors such as body fluids, and remains dry during the procedure. In addition, the absorbent fabric of our surgical drapes prevents fluid 'run-off' on to the floor. We have also developed 3M™ Ioban ™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drapes EZ, which provide prolonged antimicrobial action throughout the procedure4.

Reduce the Risk of Infection from Hair Removal
The 3M™ Surgical Clipper range has been developed to reduce the risk of infection from hair removal. Research clearly indicates that shaving hair prior to and during surgery produces nicks, cuts and microscopic epidermal injuries to the skin that can cause bacterial contamination at the operative site5. Clipping the hair avoids damage to skin, reduces the risk of infection and is recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)(US, English)6.

Infection Control: Protecting Healthcare Workers
We take the protection of healthcare workers very seriously. Our range of protective eyewear, masks and respirators to avoid contamination and infection are all manufactured to the highest standards. All 3M™ Surgical Masks comply to type II* of prEN14683.

3M™ High Performance Surgical Disposable Gowns are non-woven and made of four layers for optimal patient and wearer protection. Our disposable gowns are low linting and combine high barrier performance with strength and breathability.

Infection Prevention: Partnership and Infection Prevention Training
3M works in partnership with hospitals to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections through the provision of innovative infection prevention products and investment in extensive research. This is carried out at 3M's Discovery Centre in St Paul, Minnesota and details of such studies are available from company representatives. We support our customers with infection product training and education on the wider aspects of infection prevention. We also work closely with the Association for Perioperative Practice on the 3M AfPP Academy programme offering non-clinical professional development training to their members.

For more information on any of our infection prevention products or services, please Contact Us.

Some common misspellings of the infection prevention products for reference: steridrape, Lobann.

Infection Product Documentation

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Title Format Size View
Incise Drapes including 3M™ Ioban ™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drapes EZ
A4 full colour illustrated brochure with incise drapes product specifications, supporting evidence and ordering codes		 PDF PDF 519KB View
Surgical Disposable Gowns
A4 full colour illustrated brochure with surgical disposable gown product specifications and ordering codes		 PDF PDF 4,020KB View
Masks, Respirators and Protective Eyewear
A4 full colour illustrated brochure with product specifications and ordering codes of
protective eyewear, respirators and masks		 PDF PDF 990KB View

References:
  1. 1 Plowman R, Graves N, Griffin M et al. The socio-economic burden of hospital-acquired infection. PHLS, London. 1999.

  2. 2 Haley RW. Nosocomial infection: an increasing problem that must be controlled. In: Haley RW, Ed. Managing Hospital Infection Control for Cost-effectiveness. USA American Hospital Association, 1986:3-15.

  3. 3 Emmerson AM, Enstone JE, Griffin M et al. The second national prevalence survey of infection in hospitals - an overview of the results. J. Hosp. Infect. 1996; 32: 175-190.

  4. 4 Johnston DH, Fairclough JA, Brown EM, Morris R: Rate of bacterial recolonisation of the skin after preparation: Four methods compared. Br.J. Surg. 1987; 74 p64.

  5. 5 Shannon, John Jr et al, 'Preoperative Skin Preparation and Wound Infection'; Infections in Surgery, June 1985.

  6. 6 Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, Center for Disease Control, U.S. Public Health Service, Revision 1999 Vol.20 N.4.
* Except 1800+NL, 1818 and 1818FS masks