FAIRBURN – To address the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) from aerosolized viral particles, Porex Corporation, part of the US Filtration Group, is pioneering the use of viral filtration efficiency (VFE) testing methods for the materials it supplies for use in medical devices.
As the first company to run this new analysis, Porex has been able to consistently obtain a 99.9987% VFE score for its filter materials, proving they help to protect healthcare workers and patients from aerosol-based viruses potentially present in medical settings.
Georgia-based Porex initiated VFE testing for its materials after observing the needs of its customers, which frequently fielded concerns from patients and healthcare workers seeking information that the components used in various equipment procedures would not pose risks of a HAI contraction.
Nearly one in 31 hospital patients acquires a HAI and these infections lead to an estimated 99,000 annual deaths in US hospitals alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Healthcare workers face similar, if not greater, threats due to frequent exposure to viral pathogens.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has magnified what was already a pressing issue in healthcare settings around the world, which is that inadequate filtration materials put patients and professionals at risk of contracting dangerous viruses,” said Avi Robbins, vice president, of global product development and R&D at Porex. “We took the step to lead the materials industry into VFE testing to validate efficacy, and we are thrilled to confirm that our filtration and venting components are trustworthy and reliable for blocking viral particle spread.”
Porex develops venting and filtration solutions via several core technology platforms such as sintered particles, bonded fibre, PTFE and Oxyphen track-etched membranes.
Filtration and venting media from Porex are suitable for suction canisters, catheters, syringes and other medical equipment utilized in aerosol-generating medical procedures.
