The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7328 p803
4 December 2004

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News summary

Three new products could help fight against MRSA

Three new products that could help reduce methycillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) levels in hospitals have been identified by the rapid review panel set up by the Health Protection Agency to look at products that can help NHS staff improve hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

The products are: silver-coated hydrogel catheters, where the silver alloy reduces the likelihood of a patient contracting a urinary tract infection; decontamination systems that use hydrogen peroxide vapour to clean hospital rooms (produced by Bioquel); and non-alcohol based gels for hand cleaning (produced by Ebiox).

According to the panel, further evaluation of the non-alcohol based gels and decontamination systems needs to be carried out in a clinical setting before they can be introduced into practice.

The announcement was made by Health Secretary, John Reid at the National Institute of Clinical Excellence conference in Birmingham on 1 December.