Latest technology keeps care home bedding bug-free

Tag : dates washing machine

MRSA and other killer superbugs at a Midland care home after bossessigned up for the most flashy up-to-date technology.
Staff at Swallows Meadow Court, in Shirley, Solihull, have becomethe first in the region to harness the power of lightning through arevolutionary cleaning system that kills 100 per cent of bacteriaand viruses, including Clostridium difficile (C.diff).
They are using specialised washing machines which inject ozone– a natural disinfectant created during thunderstorms –into every wash to help clean contaminated laundry more powerfullythan a normal cycle.
Marion Vickers, care manager of the 70-bed nursing home, said themachine, called Otex, had even reduced their carbon footprint as ituses cold water to clean dirty washing.
“You would think water and lightning don’t mix, butthis is using the two to great effect, it’s amazing,”said Mrs Vickers.
“We wash all the residents’ clothing and bedding, aswell as mop heads and cleaning cloths with the new system.
“It gives us the reassurance that everything is clean andkills bugs like C.diff and MRSA, which many homes and hospitalshave problems eradicating.
“We still put in detergent and even though the washingmachine uses a low temperature, it gets rid of germs the same as a90 degree hot wash, so it is much more environmentallyfriendly.”
Scientists have found that ozone, which is oxygen atoms hit by anelectrical charge, is 3,200 times more effective than chlorinebleach.
Ozone is commonly used in water purification and to keep Olympicswimming pools clean, but businesses are starting to use it forlaundry, including Bolton Wanderers Football Club and York TrustHospitals.
C.diff has higher than average rates in the Midlands and is now abigger killer than MRSA.
Machine developers JLA Ltd claim it could save the NHS £2million a year in energy costs.