Latest technology keeps care home bedding bug-free

Jun 23 2008

MRSA and other killer superbugs at a Midland care home after bosses signed up for the most flashy up-to-date technology.

Staff at Swallows Meadow Court, in Shirley, Solihull, have become the first in the region to harness the power of lightning through a revolutionary cleaning system that kills 100 per cent of bacteria and viruses, including Clostridium difficile (C.diff).

They are using specialised washing machines which inject ozone – a natural disinfectant created during thunderstorms – into every wash to help clean contaminated laundry more powerfully than a normal cycle.

Marion Vickers, care manager of the 70-bed nursing home, said the machine, called Otex, had even reduced their carbon footprint as it uses cold water to clean dirty washing.

“You would think water and lightning don’t mix, but this is using the two to great effect, it’s amazing,” said Mrs Vickers.

“We wash all the residents’ clothing and bedding, as well as mop heads and cleaning cloths with the new system.

“It gives us the reassurance that everything is clean and kills bugs like C.diff and MRSA, which many homes and hospitals have problems eradicating.

“We still put in detergent and even though the washing machine uses a low temperature, it gets rid of germs the same as a 90 degree hot wash, so it is much more environmentally friendly.”

Scientists have found that ozone, which is oxygen atoms hit by an electrical charge, is 3,200 times more effective than chlorine bleach.

Ozone is commonly used in water purification and to keep Olympic swimming pools clean, but businesses are starting to use it for laundry, including Bolton Wanderers Football Club and York Trust Hospitals.

C.diff has higher than average rates in the Midlands and is now a bigger killer than MRSA.

Machine developers JLA Ltd claim it could save the NHS £2 million a year in energy costs.