Micro-organisms, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi and moulds, are found naturally in our environment and usually live in balance with us and are harmless to us. However, if our immunity is compromised, micro-organisms can make us sick or cause various infections. In healthcare facilities and hospitals, the ecosystem of microorganisms is different from a standard home or workplace. In recent years, the percentage of nosocomial infections, especially those caused by antimicrobial-resistant micro-organisms, has been steadily increasing. These multidrug-resistant strains of microorganisms are more virulent, exchange genetic material more rapidly and can survive in the environment without significant nutrient requirements in their surroundings.

Poor hygiene rules and the constant use of antibiotics increase the resistance of microorganisms in healthcare facilities, which can spread and be transmitted between patients and staff not only through poor hand hygiene, but especially through the surfaces of equipment, furniture, just everything we touch in hospitals, outpatient clinics, pharmacies, or hospital cafeterias. Until now, however, no attention has been paid to cross-contamination through the clothing of doctors and nurses or the bed linen of lying-in patients.

Textiles, especially those made of natural fibres (cotton), are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi and moulds if they have the right humid environment and thermal conditions.

Many studies have shown that hospital staff in contact with contaminated textiles can be direct sources of transmission of microorganisms to the patient, or even between multiple patients. Cotton, as a natural fibre, is spun from many small fibres that are released into the environment with only minor friction. Only by changing cotton bed linen in this way can many small fibres with micro-organisms be released into the air, which immediately contaminate the immediate environment of the bed, but can easily be transferred to other rooms on the shoes of staff and patients. Contaminated textiles and surfaces in healthcare facilities can thus be a significant source of microbes causing transmission of nosocomial infections.

The use of Prolen® Medical antimicrobial textiles can significantly reduce the risk of infections associated with medical and nursing care, especially for textiles that are used as a direct contact surface with the patient, such as bed linen, pyjamas, nursing and surgical gowns, protective caps and surgical drapes.

The entire Prolen® Medical antimicrobial product line is composed exclusively of Prolen® Siltex and Prolen® Bodyfresh 100% polypropylene fibers treated with antimicrobial additives based on silver and zinc ions.