Plastic basin with antimicrobial technology helps fight hospital superbugs

A newly designed, Class 1 medical device is helping infection control in hospitals thanks to the use of antimicrobial technology within the plastic used to manufacture it.

The PathAguard is a bed bath developed by CMC Hygea Ltd., a company based in Waterford, Ireland, which uses a unique plastic basin and liner system to allow hospital staff to administer a bed bath without running the risk of bacterial cross-contamination.

The device consists of an antimicrobial-impregnated, reusable washbasin and a single-use antimicrobial liner. This device delivers cheaper, safer, comfortable and effective bed bathing.

PathAguard is being used in private and NHS hospitals across the British Isles and has also been formally registered in the United States, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The system was the brainchild of company founder and CEO, Michael Malone, who started 

looking into the area of infection control in hospitals in 2010 when a friend who worked in healthcare observed that cross-contamination could occur during assisted washing as a result of bacteria on plastic basins.

Malone spent two years talking to health professionals before finalising the design, featuring a plastic basin with a cover.

His breakthrough came when he discovered that plastic 

could be impregnated with Biomaster antibacterial technology from UK-based Addmaster. 

Surfaces protected by Biomaster inhibit the growth of most common pathogens including MRSA. The protection is effective for the lifetime of the product. 

Malone commented: “There is currently no FDA registered Infection Control system like ours on the market. Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) can quickly develop into fatal conditions. Our PathAguard solution could potentially become a standard part of infection control globally.”