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Letters to the Editor
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Hospital sterilisation
New discovery
From Mr S. Blum, MRPharmS
The intriguing report published in Chemistry World in July, resulting
from the general meeting of the American Society of Microbiologists in
Atlanta, revealed the findings of the group of students that the addition
of cetrimide to paints and varnishes rendered surfaces touched by hand
to remain sterile for long periods. It was interesting to note that cetrimide
was less effective in floor and furniture polishes.
As a pharmacist with a keen interest in surface active chemistry, and with
considerable success over the years in the formulation and manufacture
of products for use in industry for cleaning and degreasing, and also for
de-inking and recycling of wastepaper, I decided to “have a go” at
formulating a product to beat the common hospital pathogens which have
been reported in recent months to have been responsible for numerous deaths
and infections in our hospitals. I am pleased to say that I have successfully
formulated a product, which has been laboratory tested against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureas, Enterococcus
faecalis, Staphylococcus
typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to mention some of the pathogens
causing problems today. This remarkable product, rapidly causes a 100 per
cent kill rate of these troublesome bacteria, and is the subject of a patent
application filed 3 March 2005. It is hoped to be on trial in hospitals
for use as a hard surface cleaner in the near future.
It was indeed exciting to read in the Onlooker article (PJ, 23 July, p120)
that the students found, as I have, that a quaternary ammonium compound
included (in my case) in a bactericidal blend of ingredients “does
the trick”.
Stanley Blum
London
Correction
In this letter, Staphylococcus typhimurium should read Salmonella typhimurium.In this letter, |
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal