Member Article

Vernacare helps combat spread of Ebola in Sierra Leone

Bolton-based Vernacare’s infection prevention products will help to combat the spread of Ebola in Sierra Leone.

The Lancashire manufacturer’s disposable toileting and washing products stem the spread of all infections, including Ebola.

As part of its emergency response, the UK government will deploy Vernacare’s disposable bedpans and urinals, together with its bedpan supports and hygienic commode chairs.

The company has dispatched an express order of its infection prevention products to Sierra Leone. This will remove the risk involved in using re-usable plastic, ceramic and stainless steel bedpans and urinals, which if not properly decontaminated present a major safety threat.

Emma Sheldon, Global Marketing Director for Vernacare, said: “Since Ebola is spread via bodily fluids, handling the faeces, urine or vomit of infected patients presents a risk. Our single-use products will hold waste for long periods without any chance of leaking and can be disposed of safely after use - providing assurance to both patients and healthcare workers. Our commode chairs, which are used in conjunction with disposable bedpans, dismantle to enable effective cleaning and decontamination after use.

“We are proud to play our part in helping to stem the spread of Ebola and stand ready to increase production and issue other products in our range, such as vomit and wash bowls, to meet further global demand.”

The ‘Vernacare System’ of infection prevention was invented 50 years ago in Bolton. It works by replacing traditional re-usable waste management products, such as urinals, bedpans and wash bowls, with hygienic containers - made from renewable natural fibre. These then disintegrate after use when placed in Vernacare’s Vortex disposal machines, which use a fast, cold water process to liquidise the waste - producing a free flowing slurry that is easily accepted by sewerage systems and is discharged to the drains. Alternatively, the disposable items can be placed in clinical waste systems.

Other ancillary products have also been developed, such as the Vernacare commode chair, cleaning and disinfecting wipes, cleansing foams and an indicator tape to place around toileting equipment to signal that it has been properly cleaned.

Vernacare’s products are exported to 48 countries and are used across the NHS to prevent infection.

Further information: www.vernacare.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vernacare .