Mercy Health Partners Unveils Innovative Lab Coats that Help Fight Pathogens

Vestagen Technical Textiles today announced that Mercy Medical Center St. Mary's, Mercy Medical Center North, and Mercy Medical Center West in Knoxville, Tenn., purchased Vestex™ nanotechnology-based lab coats. The lab coats were presented to staff physicians in honor of National Doctors’ Day, an annual observance celebrating the service and contribution of our country’s physicians.

“From our advances in robotic surgery to our cutting-edge heart catheterization procedures, Mercy Medical Partners is well-known as a leader in advanced technologies. Vestex technology is the latest advance in lab coats, so we want our physicians to have it,” said Jerry Sanders, MD, chief medical officer at Mercy Medical Center St. Mary’s. “It’s our way of saying thank you for all you do to our staff physicians on Doctors’ Day.”

The gift comes at a time when the future of doctors’ white coats remains unclear. The American Medical Association is currently reviewing the role the coat plays in spreading infectious microbes, including MRSA, among patients. Vestex offers a unique and evidence-based solution to the problem.

Vestex lab coats are designed to repel blood and other contaminated bodily fluids and rapidly kill microbes on contact. The dual action technology allows physicians to maintain their traditional, identifiable attire, which is strongly preferred by patients, while reducing the threat of clothing contamination. Vestex fabric is impregnated with nano-sized particles that change the surface area of the fabric, increasing surface tension and creating a barrier to fluids such as blood and vomit. After the repellency feature sheds bulk contaminants, the antimicrobial property rapidly eradicates any remaining microbes on the fabric.

“First, thank you to all physicians across the country for the care, compassion and comfort you provide your patients each day. You make the world a better place for all of us,” said Ben Favret, president and CEO of Vestagen. “Mercy Medical Center St. Mary’s is committed to and has a long history as a national leader in patient care and innovation. Providing Vestex lab coats to their physicians is further evidence of their commitment to patients, medical staff and the community.” 

Mercy Medical Center St. Mary’s is the first healthcare system in Tennessee to purchase Vestex lab coats. Vestex garments are the first and only fabric certified a Best Practice for indoor environments by Environmental Health Technologies, the nation’s leading indoor environmental quality standards expert.