| February 2002 (Newstream) -- A 1997 Report from
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology estimated that among the
37.7 million admissions in the U.S. hospitals per year, at least 2.1
million of them acquire infection during their hospital stay. This
resulted in a staggering cost of over 4.5 billion U.S. dollars.
Definitely, by preventing occurrence of infection acquired in the
hospital, stay and related costs will be considerably reduced.
Pi-ray fabric, developed for the first time in the world by Aron
Textiles Co. in Korea will be made available in the U.S. market by
Pi-ray America, Inc. This was announced recently by Loren Chang,
R.N., NHA, president of Pi-ray America, Inc. Ms. Chang described the
unique features of pi-ray fabric that include its antimicrobial,
antiflammability, and deodorant effects. The antimicrobial activity
is inherent to the pi-ray fabric. Other textile products claiming to
have similar antimicrobial effect are developed by coating the
antimicrobial agent into the fabric.
Dr. George Jaresko, an infectious disease therapeutics expert and
assistant dean at the University of Southern California School of
Pharmacy conducted an assessment of the pi-ray fabric's
antibacterial and antifungal activity. In his study, Dr. Jaresko
notes that "in plates using impregnated pi-ray fabric, the area of
the blood agar plate in contact with the pi-ray fabric did not grow
microorganisms, while in the non-impregnated fabric (control) those
areas in contact with the fabric (control) as well as the areas not
in contact with the fabric (control) did show microbial growth."
Antimicrobial activity was shown against Staphylococcus,
Bacteroides, Klebsiella and Candida.
Bio-Path Clinical Laboratories in Van Nuys, California also
conducted similar antimicrobial studies on the pi-ray fabric. After
24 and 48 hours inoculation at 37”ĘC, the test plate showed complete
inhibition of bacterial growth under and adjacent to the pi-ray
fabric. On the other hand, the control plate showed unrestricted
growth of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and
Pseudomonas aeroginosa on the agar under, adjacent and directly in
contact with the control fabric.
The use of pi-ray fabric in medical facilities such as linens,
blankets, pillow cases, uniforms, and gowns could reduce incidence
of cross-contamination and nosocomial infections. Ms. Chang
emphasized, "The use of pi-ray fabric will result in potential
dollar savings for the hospital industry and improved patient care."
Other uses include gloves, surgical dressing (gauze, bandages), and
incontinent supplies.
The pi-ray fabric passed the required flammability test in
compliance with the California Administrative Code Title 19
conducted by SGS U.S. Testing Company Inc. With 30-percent pi-ray
and 70-percent cotton mixture, the pi-ray fabric provides more
comfort, better quality, and less replacement costs. Other fabrics
contain 50-percent or more polyester to meet antiflammability
requirement thereby reducing the cotton content of such fabrics by
about 20-percent. Exposure to high temperatures and multiple
chemicals during laundry usually diminishes the cotton content of
the fabric, further reducing the quality of the fabric and
increasing replacement costs.
The pi-ray fabric is made of natural energy fibers that contain
over ten different kinds of natural minerals including mackban
stone, jade, mica, germanium and silver. These natural minerals are
blended into the fibers through bioengineering technology.
Without doubt, Pi-ray Fabric, with its unique benefits, is a
textile product that should be adopted in hospital facilities now.
It prevents spread of infection, provides potential dollar savings,
and with less replacement costs.
###
Press Release Contact:
Produced for Pi-Ray America
Ms. Loren Chang, R.N., N.H.A.
CEO/President
admin@pi-ray-america.com
|
