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BookmarkCombating antibiotic-resistant superbugs and suppression of hospital-acquired infections have increased the importance and number of uses of silver-infused products, says The Silver Institute.
Recent advances in biotechnology have brought a renewed focus on silver’s centuries old history as an important medical weapon.
In a news release issued Wednesday, the Silver Institute observed that the medical use of silver has helped reduce the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant germs spreading through a hospital.
“Today, advances in coatings technology has enabled medical equipment producers to introduce silver-coated instruments and hospital equipment for use in treating patients—eliminating, on contract, almost every bacterial or fungal exposure,” said Michael DiRienzo, executive director of the Silver Institute.
Because silver breaks down cell walls and interferes with respiration and reproduction, bacteria have great difficulty in developing immunity to the metal, The Silver Institute noted.
“Today, the need to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs and to suppress hospital-acquired infections has increased the importance and number of uses of silver-infused products,” the Institute observed.
“The ability to coat materials such as polyurethane, silicone and textile fibers with either metallic silver or ionic silver compounds now provides clinicians with efficient means of overcoming difficult wound care and device-related infections, which have long proved costly and difficult to manage in terms of hospital care,” said the Institute. Earlier this year, an in-vitro laboratory study conducted by Smith & Nephew, a global medical technology company based in London, found a silver-coated antimicrobial dressing, ACTICOAT, could kill “superbug” organisms that were the most difficult to treat.
More recently, Reno, Nevada-based NMI Health recently launched its SilverCare Plus antimicrobial performance soft surface products at the 40thAnnual Association of Professionals for Infection Control conference in Florida this month. NMI Health exhibited performance fabrics including scrub and lab coat material, patient gowns, linens, blankets and cubicle curtains. Collectively, these products account for over 90% of soft surfaces found in the patient environment.
NMI partnered with Noble Biomaterials to manufacture the SilverCare Plus line.
Modern technology has also enabled manufacturers to use silver to fight potential infection beyond hospital walls, the Silver Institute noted. A number of water purification systems rely on silver to keep water fresh. Samsung is using nanosilver technology in some of its home washing machines.
Motorola uses silver embedded in plastic housings for many of its mobile phones. Other manufacturers are using silver in keys, or in the cases of calculators and other hand-held instruments.
Paints too have been made more effective against molds, yeasts and various bacteria with the addition of silver.
