UK-produced film could help stop Ebola spread for just £40

A £40 film produced in the UK has been trialed for use in ambulances for infection control in light of the Ebola outbreak.

The new ‘SMASH’ range from Exeter-based manufacturer, Packexe, has been trialled in Sweden after a paramedic with previous experience of the product in rescue situations suggested its strength and adhesive qualities would be ideal to stop the spread of infection inside the emergency vehicles.

The SMASH film is unrolled and trimmed to cover the whole Ambulance interior, which takes approximately 12 minutes (for a large Ambulance), at a cost of less than £40 pounds sterling/50 euros.

Packexe’s CEO, Andrew Orchard, recently visited The Sundsvall Ambulance Service in North Sweden, after he received an order to use Packexe SMASH in their Ambulances - as both a preventative measure for Ebola cases and also for patients with suspected or diagnosed TB or other infectious diseases.

"I interviewed Fredrik Granholm, EMS Doctor in Sundsvall, to try and find out from an industry professional how the SMASH product can really help Ambulance Services in the new global Ebola epidemic,” said Orchard.

“Whilst no data is available, surely offering up Packexe SMASH to Ambulance and Health Service Providers the world over is a simple yet highly efficient way of minimising risk of exposure and contamination from Ebola and other infectious diseases?

“Packexe SMASH is a simple and cost-effective system being used by Emergency Service crews who themselves are putting their own health on the line, 365 days a year. Everyone at Packexe hopes the powers that be are listening and learning by example: here in the UK we now have a tried and tested potential solution to an epidemic that is set to rip apart our communities to the very core.”

The first Packexe film product was created by Orchard in 1989 and today the company exports to over 50 countries worldwide. The full range of 12 Packexe protection films and wraps are recognised and used by The UK Rescue Organisation (UKRO); The World Rescue Organisation (WRO) and the NHS. 

www.packexesmash.co.uk