A spin out company from the University of Leeds has developed a self-disinfecting device known as Surfaceskins that is said to reduce bacteria levels by more than 90%, following seven years of research and development.

By incorporating the specially-engineered textile in a device designed to be used on hospital doors instead of the traditional aluminium door plate, that part of the door that people push to open it – scientists aim to bolster hand hygiene.

Raising awareness

Hospital doors are recognised as a key weak link in hygiene because of the number of times people touch them. It takes just one person with dirty hands to pass through a door to put everyone else who follows at risk of cross contamination.

Surfaceskins antibacterial door pads work by dispensing a small quantity of alcohol gel onto the pad when it is pushed, to disinfect the surface ready for the next person to use the door. This low-cost device, which incorporates three separate nonwoven textiles is designed to be replaced after seven days or one thousand pushes, whichever comes sooner.

Surfaceskins antibacterial door pads are not meant to replace the strict handwashing rules in hospitals, but instead provide an extra line of defence by helping clean hands to stay clean. Experts expect that Surfaceskins will increase people’s awareness of the importance of washing hands and hand hygiene.

Study results

A study into the effectiveness of the new technology has been published in the Journal of Hospital Infection. At the start of the study, both the Surfaceskins and control aluminium door plates were inoculated with bacteria at levels found on the hands of hospital staff. The study concluded that the Surfaceskins door pads were more effective than standard door plates over seven days in reducing the levels of three bacteria that commonly cause hospital-acquired infections: S. aureus, E. coli and E. faecalis.

“Our results suggest that Surfaceskins door pads can help to reduce the contamination of doors by microbes,” said Mark Wilcox, Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University, who led the independent evaluation. “They offer a new way to reduce the risk of the spread of bacteria and viruses in hospital environments and other settings where frequent contact with doors could undermine hand hygiene.”

Surfaceskins technology

Four patents protect the innovation behind Surfaceskins. The device is fitted into a plastic holster which is attached to the door. Surfaceskins contain a reservoir of alcohol gel and a membrane with tiny valves that dispense the gel onto the surface where it is pressed when opening a door, self-disinfecting it within seconds.

“Surfaceskins address a definite need, in a simple, effective and low-cost way. Designed to provide protection in many high-risk situations, the global market for Surfaceskins is immense,” commented Chris Fowler, Chief Executive of the spin out that has developed the device.

“In addition to the successful NHS trials, many organisations outside healthcare have expressed serious interest in introducing these self-disinfecting products. Surfaceskins can play an important role wherever door users have an interest in maintaining clean hands.” The company has also developed a door handle using the Surfaceskins technology.

Targeting other sectors

Surfaceskins are being targeted at other industrial sectors where there is a need for meticulous hand hygiene such as in catering and hospitality. On the back of successful trials and agreed distribution deals, Surfaceskins Ltd is now looking for £600,000 investment to expand its sales network and production capability at its Leeds-based facility.

Surfaceskins is a collaboration between the Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute Ltd (NIRI), a spin out company from the University’s School of Design, and two industrial designers, Adam Walker and Simon Scott-Harden.

www.leeds.ac.uk