LifeThreads Introduces Antimicrobial Medical Apparel in Fight Against HAIs

LifeThreads LLC, a life sciences company, is introducing a medical apparel product line treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial active ingredient that protects the fabric from harmful pathogens found within medical environments.
           
The new LifeThreads garments have been shown to reduce harmful bacteria concentrations by 99.99-percent in extensive tests undertaken by ResInnova Laboratories, a nationally-recognized scientific research laboratory. The garments, when worn by doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals and patients, are designed to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria in healthcare settings where patients are most vulnerable.
           
Founded in 2014 with headquarters in New York City, LifeThreads is focused on infection control and management in clinical healthcare settings with the mission of positively impacting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
           
“Our goal is to provide the healthcare industry with the finest textile products offering maximum protection against harmful bacteria,” says Karan Jhunjhunwala, founder and CEO of LifeThreads. “We believe our new product line achieves this goal with the added benefits of being extremely stylish and highly cost-effective. This combination is introducing a new era in medical apparel providing benefits to the medical community and patients alike.”
            
The LifeThreads product line includes lab coats, scrubs, scrub warm-up jackets and patient gowns; the company plans to include bed linens and privacy curtains later this year. LifeThreads’ products are currently being rolled out in the Northeastern United States and Florida with plans for national distribution underway. Institutional sales are being handled directly; retail distribution includes specialty retail stores as well as LifeThreads’ online store.
            
LifeThreads has also partnered with PureTex Solutions, an Orlando-based commercial laundry and linen company serving the healthcare industry. PureTex Solutions provides the full range of LifeThreads products, on a rental basis, to healthcare institutions throughout Florida.

“Unlike many of the competitive products on the market which incorporate silver nitrate as a protective additive, LifeThreads’ choice and use of an EPA-registered antimicrobial additive compares quite favorably in cost in contrast to others,” says Jhunjhunwala.
 
LifeThreads’ technology incorporates zinc pyrithione into the textile during the manufacturing process. Zinc pyrithione is a fungistatic and bacteriostatic substance used in the manufacture of common dandruff shampoos and in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and dry skin. The antimicrobial additive is homogenously distributed throughout the polymer matrix with an efficacy that lasts for the life of the product including multiple industrial launderings. Active ingredients attack bacteria’s ability to reproduce and absorb nutrients, which eventually leads to elimination of the bacteria.

“Our lab conducted a Splatter Fabric Challenge test to validate the efficacy of antimicrobial textiles in a more ‘real world’ simulation, mimicking the splattering of blood, urine and vomit,” says Matthew Hardwick, PhD, president and CEO of ResInnova Laboratories. “Test results show conclusively that LifeThreads antimicrobial textiles are extremely effective at reducing the concentrations of important pathogens such as staphylococcus – including MRSA – and E coli. These results suggest that antimicrobial textiles, especially those including fluid barrier chemistries, may be effective strategies at combating healthcare-associated infections.”

All LifeThreads products are fluid repellant, and the treatment works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and protects the entire surface of the product. There is no special handling, new protocols nor training required with LifeThreads products and they can be laundered in a normal fashion.

“LifeThreads gives me the assurance and confidence that we are using the best products available in the market today,” says Evelyn VandenBrink, RN, infection control coordinator for the Tampa Bay Surgery Center. “We love the fluid repellency and stain resistance these products offer.”

Elena J. Holak, MD, PharmD, MPH, who specializes in anesthesiology, pharmacology and public health, serves as medical director for LifeThreads. “Secondary infections in clinical healthcare settings are a significant industry issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released estimates indicating significant loss of life – 75,000 in 2011 – and nearly three-quarters of a million secondary infections in patients as a result of surgery or visiting a hospital, doctor, dentist or healthcare facility,” says Holak. “Our organization is committed to improving patient outcomes by decreasing the likelihood of secondary infections.”
             
Source: LifeThreads LLC