Cambridge, UK: Scientific Digital Imaging’s [AIM-SDI] Synoptics Health Division, a manufacturer of innovative digital imaging systems for healthcare applications, today announced that the UK’s leading healthcare detergent manufacturer and supplier, Serchem, is utilising ProReveal, a test to detect proteins on surgical instruments, to accurately diagnose the efficacy and optimise the chemistry of its detergents for protein removal. This will in future provide professionals working in sterile services departments (SSDs) and endoscopy facilities with detergents that deliver the ultimate in cleaning capabilities.
The highly sensitive ProReveal in-situ fluorescence test’s unique ability to detect nanogram levels of protein on surgical instruments is being used in Serchem’s R and D department in Telford, UK to test the efficacy of its alkaline, neutral and enzymatic cleaning ranges to remove proteins from specifically calibrated protein soil test standards. Since ProReveal provides quantitative data on residual protein, using the results of these experiments, Serchem’s formulation scientists can assess how effective current detergent ranges are. Using the ProReveal will also allow them to determine how manipulating components of the detergent’s formulation directly impacts how much protein can be removed, thus making designing an optimum formula for maximum protein removal a quicker and more accurate task.
Paul Arnold, Sales Director at Serchem stated: “We supply detergents to over 240 sterile service and endoscopy decontamination sites in the UK alone so we’re all too aware of how challenging removing residual protein from surgical instruments can be. Financial constraints are being placed on many hospital sites, some with older less efficient equipment and less than ideal water conditions where investment for new washers and water treatment may not be possible and this is proving to be a challenge. Then there is the issue of the instrument manufacturers’ cleaning instructions that complicates the decision making process even further. Therefore, it is up to detergent manufacturers to intelligently design their products to deliver maximum cleaning efficacy, even when washing processes are sub-optimal.”
Paul Arnold added: “We believe that ProReveal can play a vital part in that process and is a technology not to fear but to embrace. This is why we have installed the ProReveal and staff are finding it is very straightforward to use in our R and D department, where the test is already providing us with some very informative data ensuring our detergent formulations can perform perfectly under the scrutiny of the ProReveal test, which we all know is fast becoming the benchmark diagnostic for the most accurate protein detection on surgical instruments. Based on this evidence Serchem will have a major competitive advantage. More importantly, our quality by design detergents will meet the rigorous cleaning standards set by any hospital in the world.”
Paul Ellwood, SDI Synoptics Health’s CEO concluded: “Serchem is a very proactive and ethical company. Their realisation of the diagnostic power the ProReveal technology can offer and their visionary utilisation of the test show that they are willing to push established boundaries to develop highly effective detergents. This commitment to quality will assist SDD professionals to continuously improve their decontamination processes with fit for purpose detergents that will meet any minimum safe residual protein contamination guidelines both nationally and internationally. This in turn, will improve the cleanliness of reprocessed surgical instruments and could result in a significant reduction in the risk of iatrogenic infections for thousands of patients.”
For Further Information Contact:
Jayne Arthur, Synoptics Health, Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1TF, UK.
Tel: +44(0) 1223-727114 Fax +44 (0) 1223-727101
Email: jayne.arthur@synopticshealth.com Web site: www.synopticshealth.com
Paul Arnold, Serchem Ltd, Heatherset, Arleston, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 2LY
Tel: 01952 223130 Fax: 01952 222012 Email: paul@serchem.co.uk
Dr Sue Pearson, Director, International Science Writer, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3GD, UK.
Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1462-635327 Email: sue.pearson@internationalsciencewriter.com
Web: www.internationalsciencewriter.com Twitter:@isciencewriter
About Synoptics Health
Synoptics Health, based in Cambridge, UK is a division of the Synoptics Group of the AIM quoted Scientific Digital Imaging (SDI) Company based in Cambridge, UK. Synoptics is a world-leader in the development and manufacture of innovative digital imaging systems for a range of life science applications. The Group has three other divisions, Syngene, Syncroscopy and Synbiosis of which Syngene is the largest.
Syngene produces advanced systems for molecular biologists to analyse and document fluorescent DNA on gels and has systems in all the major pharmas and academic institutes world-wide. Synoptics’ other divisions Syncroscopy and Synbiosis specialise in digital imaging solutions for microscopy and microbial applications respectively. SDI’s Synoptics Group was founded in 1986 and currently employs 45 people, 20 of whom are based at Synoptics Inc. in the USA.
About Serchem Ltd
Serchem Ltd was established in 1981 as a credible alternative to the multinational companies operating at the time. Its aim was simple, to offer a comprehensive range of cleaning materials and associated items at a much reduced cost compared to its competitors.
Since its formation, Serchem has enjoyed the success that a customer led organisation can promote. Manufacture of its unrivalled product portfolio is undertaken at its owned, purpose built premises based in Telford, Shropshire. All products are produced to tried and tested formulae ensuring excellent cleaning and value for money is achieved.
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