A clinical trial at Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust has revealed that Primel Active Hand Shield (PAHS) technology exhibits significantly higher antimicrobial efficacy compared to standard alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The study, conducted by Primel, a provider of infection prevention infrastructure, demonstrated that PAHS maintained an average of 91% higher antimicrobial efficacy after one hour, compared to the efficacy of standard hand sanitizers after just 15 minutes.
The trial results highlight the potential of PAHS to revolutionize hand hygiene practices in healthcare settings. The product offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and sustained protection against pathogens such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and norovirus. This sustained efficacy addresses a critical gap in current hand hygiene protocols, where the rapid decline in effectiveness of alcohol-based sanitizers can leave patients vulnerable to infection.
Superior Efficacy and Reduced Transmission
The Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust's trial assessed both the immediate and residual antimicrobial activity of PAHS compared to traditional hand sanitizers. Immediately after application, PAHS demonstrated 98% effectiveness, which only decreased to 92% after one hour. In contrast, the efficacy of standard alcohol-based hand sanitizers dropped from 97% to 68% within 15 minutes. Furthermore, PAHS proved to be, on average, 76% more effective than traditional hand sanitizers in reducing the transmission of microbes from contaminated hands to surfaces.
Expert Commentary
Prof Mark Wilcox noted the increasing rates of hospital-acquired infections, such as Clostridium difficile, and the challenges of antimicrobial resistance. He stated, "The results from the Lancashire Teaching Hospital trial show Primel Active Hand Shield’s superior efficacy over current alcohol hand hygiene sanitisers that are in widespread use in the NHS... Going forwards, infection prevention guidelines need to consider this novel way of improving hand hygiene."
Dr. David Orr, who collaborated with Primel on the trial, emphasized the positive feedback from staff and the potential to reduce infection control risks associated with poor hand hygiene compliance. "The deployment of this product could dramatically reduce the infection control risk associated with poor hand-hygiene compliance, because, even if hands are decontaminated less frequently than currently recommended, the product will continue to provide protection."
Implications for Healthcare Policy
Arjun Luthra, CEO of Primel, highlighted the potential for PAHS to enhance the effective stopping of the spread of pathogens. He stated, "The next step for us is to roll out our Active Hand Shield solution throughout the NHS, whilst also implementing a change at policy level, working with all UKHSA stakeholders... Our organisation is fully focused on tackling the continued financial burden whilst reducing the patient risk of HAIs with breakthrough technology."
