NewGenn® in the medical sector

The Medical sector provides diverse and challenging conflicts of interests. Patients should be the prime concern but occasions arise where the commercial interests of the medical establishment can conflict with those of an individual patient. This is particularly prevalent in the complicated and confusing field of infection control where hospital staff must balance the commercial viability of the hospital with the large number of their patients who die from infections caught in their hospitals. The hospital staff we work with deplore the needless deaths of innocent patients but until the system is modernised those staff must continue to share a heavy burden of responsibility.

There is a new answer that can be introduced within current budgets using existing staff numbers, an answer developed in very close collaboration with hospitals and patient groups.

Introducing a Systems Approach is the key. Most people accept that computer systems need to be based on compatible component products, and the same applies with infection control. Infection control products have traditionally been purchased on the basis of well-known supplier brand names. Unfortunately many established branded products commonly used in hospitals are incompatible with other branded products so the infection control aspect is destroyed. The hospital is left with an ineffective infection control policy, infections occur and patients die.

A classic example is Hibiscrub, an excellent hand sanitiser introduced many years ago by ICI and subsequently sold around the world. On the label was a clear warning that the key chemical ingredient in Hibiscrub was incompatible with the types of ingredients most commonly used in cleansing hand washes. However hospitals continue to use Hibiscrub in combination with cleansing hand washes that clearly have the ability to inactivate Hibiscrub. Two options arise: the suppliers of Hibiscrub could provide a compatible cleansing hand wash, or a more effective modern replacement for Hibiscrub could be introduced in conjunction with a compatible cleansing hand wash. The suppliers of Hibiscrub have done the former to support an old brand name and NewGenn? have done the latter to take advantage of modern market needs.

The Systems Approach is critically important is all areas where cleaning is followed by disinfection. Flexible endoscopes must be cleaned before being disinfected but many hospitals still use cleaning products that can inactivate the disinfectant. Floors and surfaces are also relevant so the cleaning detergent should be compatible with the chosen disinfectant. Selecting products from suppliers who use a proven integrated systems approach in which the cleaning product ensures maximum effectiveness from the disinfectant provides both the medical establishment and patients with the greatest level of confidence.

The NewGenn? mission statement includes the phrase "products that are effective in real life situations". Few companies have that phrase in their mission statement, an interesting ommission when many thousands of patients die needlessly every year in hospitals supplied by companies with conflicting products. The new and safest answer is to only purchase products from companies that utilise a proven systems approach.