Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 11th April 2024 Issue no. 1109
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Vestex protective attire addresses healthcare uniform contamination concerns
Adoption of innovative fabric technology for healthcare worker and patient attire is growing, as more healthcare facilities forego traditional uniforms in an effort to better protect patients and staff from healthcare-associated infections.
As one indicator of this growth, Vestagen Technical Textiles reports that a variety of healthcare facilities have recently converted to its Vestex protective uniforms. The facilities include Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Emergency Departments, Flagler Hospital and the University of North Florida (UNF) School of Nursing.
Vestex is a new class of active barrier technology that combines fluid repellent, antimicrobial and breathability properties in one fabric, and it is claimed to be the only daily use protective fabric proven to reduce harmful contaminants on the fabric in a hospital setting.
"Clinical evidence of contaminated healthcare attire continues to grow, strengthening the case that patients and healthcare workers deserve a safer environment," states Uncas Ben B. Favret III, founder and president of Vestagen Technical Textiles. "Healthcare facilities are already bundling traditional evidence-based infection prevention interventions like hand hygiene and surface disinfection to help minimise the spread of harmful pathogens. Now they are adding attire made with Vestex to their evidence-based approach."
Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Fla. converted more than 1,000 clinical staff members to Vestex uniforms. The hospital system also worked with Vestagen to colour-code uniforms to help patients better recognise staff roles throughout the facility.
Mary Mantese, DNP, RN, CENP, chief nursing officer at Flagler Hospital, explains: "Our decision to convert to Vestex attire was two-fold - we wanted to enhance patient and staff safety, and improve our patient experience. The response from staff has been very positive, as they experienced the fluid-repellent and stain-resistant properties of Vestex immediately and feel better protected from unanticipated contaminant exposures."
Additionally, over 200 staff in the Emergency Departments at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia have been wearing Vestex since January, and UNF's School of Nursing in Jacksonville, Fla., recently became the first nursing school to transition to Vestex protected uniforms.
Li Loriz, PhD, ARNP, BC, GNP, associate professor and director, UNF School of Nursing, says: "Our nursing students made the decision to switch to these uniforms. They want to be at the leading edge of new technology and embrace new developments."
Baptist Health of Jacksonville, Fla. was a pioneer in adopting Vestex throughout the institution in 2014. The health system converted more than 6,000 staff members, and all patients, to Vestex garments as part of a new comprehensive 'Policy of Protection.'
Dale Pfost, PhD, CEO of Vestagen, says: "These institutions are trailblazers in using protective, everyday attire to set a new standard of care for both their patients and staff by making their facilities a safer, and better, place to work.
"The positive experiences facilities are reporting after adopting Vestex are directly aligned with their priorities to build a comprehensive culture of safety and enhance patient experience and staff engagement.
"Vestagen's Vestex attire is the only textile available in the market that has been shown in a clinical study to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the fabric by 99.99% compared to traditional uniforms.
9th July 2015