CINCINNATI — November 7, 2017 — Standard Textile has announced that VESTEX® Active Barrier1 apparel received a 2017 Innovative Technology designation from Vizient Inc., the largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country. The designation was based on direct feedback from hospital experts who interacted with Vestex at the Vizient Innovative Technology Exchange in Denver on September 14, 2017.
Vestex Active Barrier apparel is a unique combination of technologies that addresses the need for continuous-wear, comfortable healthcare worker garments intended to minimize the risks associated with unanticipated exposure to body fluids during routine use, by repelling fluid splatter and spills from the fabric. Vestex Active Barrier apparel has also earned the exclusive endorsement of the American Hospital Association.
Vestex fabric is breathable and it contains an EPA-registered antimicrobial agent2 shown in controlled conditions in laboratory and hospital settings to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria on the fabric.3,4 A peer-reviewed hospital-based study published in a leading medical journal showed reduced acquisition and retention of certain microorganisms on Vestex scrubs under the study conditions compared to conventional healthcare uniforms.
“For more than 70 years, Standard Textile has brought breakthrough technology to the healthcare industry,” said Norman Frankel, executive vice president/sales at Standard Textile. “Vestex provides healthcare worker-focused innovation, addressing the growing environmental risks to these essential stakeholders in the healthcare setting. Vestex Active Barrier fabric incorporates multiple technologies to help minimize those environmental risks while being comfortable and durable for everyday use.”
“We are honored that Vizient Inc. has recognized Vestex and look forward to expanding its adoption with Vizient members,” said Bill Bold, CEO of Vestagen Protective Technologies Inc., developer of Vestex.
“Hospitals and providers are looking for innovations that offer unique and cumulative benefit over other products available on the market today,” said Debbie Archer, director of procurement and Vizient Innovative Technology Program lead. “The feedback on Vestex Active Barrier by attendees at our Innovative Technology Exchange was strongly in favor of assigning this technology an Innovative Technology designation. Congratulations to Standard Textile on receiving this status.”
Vizient represents a diverse membership base that includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute health care providers and represents more than $100 billion in annual purchasing volume. Through its Innovative Technology Program, Vizient works with member-led councils and task forces to review potentially innovative products. If it is determined that a product is innovative, Vizient may award a contract outside of the competitive bid cycle.
1 – Neither liquid repellency nor antimicrobial tests are intended to assess the VESTEX active barrier apparel’s ability to meet personal protective equipment requirements. The ability of the fabric to reduce exposure to microorganisms or infections has not been studied.
2 – VESTEX garments do not protect users or others against disease-causing bacteria. Always clean the garment thoroughly after each use.
3 – Bearman, G., Rosato, A., Elam, K., Sanogo, K., Stevens, M., Sessler, C., and Wenzel, R. P., “A Cross-over Trial of Antimicrobial Scrubs to Reduce MRSA Burden on Healthcare Worker Apparel,” Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol., Vol. 33, No. 3, 2012, pp. 268–275.
4 – Hardwick, Matthew, Walsh, Thomas, and Cotton, Margaret, “Fabric Challenge Assays: New Standards for the Evaluation of the Performance of Textiles Treated with Antimicrobial Agents,” Pesticide Formulation and Delivery Systems: Innovating Legacy Products for New Uses on November 1–3, 2011 in Tampa FL; STP 1558, M. Bernards, Editor, pp. 1–14, doi: 101520/STP155820120184, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA 2013.
Posted November 7, 2017
Source: Standard Textile
