New Antimicrobial Body Wash Cares for Skin Whilst Killing Bacteria
Mölnlycke Health Care UK have announced the launch of its new MHRA-approved antimicrobial body wash, Hibiwash, to pharmacists, the NHS, private healthcare providers and patients in the UK, significantly reducing the risk of healthcare acquired infections and surgical site infection when used by the patient pre- and post-surgery.
The 4% w/v chlorohexidine gluconate (CHG) active compound in Hibiwash, has been clinically proven to reduce the potential of surgical site infections and healthcare acquired infections for patients while in hospital, offering a key tool in the fight against infections.
At present, around 300,000 people a year treated on the NHS in England acquire a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI), costing up to £2.8 billion per year.
These avoidable infections cause significant physical or psychological disability to patients, and in some instances are life-threatening. They also place a strain on already overstretched nursing and infection prevention teams and the NHS as a whole.
Announcing the launch, Caterina Galani Global Product Manager Antiseptics Mölnlycke said: “Hibiwash when used pre- and post-surgery offers patients vital protection from infections during their stay in hospital, allowing for timely and uncomplicated recovery following surgery.
“At MöInlycke, we are committed to supporting the healthcare systems, the healthcare professionals and patients and relieving strains on healthcare systems globally.
Hibiwash has the same efficacy of Hibiscrub, but also contains emollients and has no colour, no fragrance and no traces of soya oil. It is very gentle on the skin and supports the skin’s integrity whilst killing microorganisms.
“Hibiwash also supports our plans towards sustainability. We have removed unnecessary packaging and moved our production to a new sustainable factory.”
Despite the efforts of healthcare professionals, many types of surgery have a high risk of infection with one in 11 people acquiring an infection while in hospital, with surgical related infections extending a patient’s median length of stay in hospital to 11 days.
The proliferation of life-threatening HCAIs across the world has placed more impetus on hospitals and healthcare environments to develop a consistent approach to patient hygiene practices, and the UK is no different.
Mölnlycke is committed to empowering healthcare providers and organisations to effectively prevent infections acquired whilst in hospital, providing them with the most innovative antiseptic products to reduce long-term costs, and promote greater patient satisfaction.
Reflecting on the announcement, Infection Control Practitioner Lillian Chiwera said:
Reducing the risk of Surgical site Infections (SSIs) is paramount to ensuring timely recovery following surgery and tackling the burden that healthcare-associated infections can have on a patient and their caregivers.
“Standardised patient hygiene methods that include antiseptic washes are imperative in UK hospitals to combat infections, keeping patient safety at the heart of care delivery, particularly in high-risk surgical procedures and should become part of national and regional guidance to ensure patient safety is put first.”
Discussing the impact of healthcare-associated infections, Professor David Leaper said: “Surgical site infections (SSIs) increase a patient’s stay in hospital by almost three times the length they would stay for your average surgical procedure and can significantly impact their quality of life following departure, depending on the infection that occurred.
“With over 1 in 7 hospital infections accounted for by SSIs, safety for patients who are having serious surgical procedures must be prioritised and best practices like Hibiwash is our first line of defence.”
