Quick nav for this page:
Osprey Deep Clean
With more and more dangerous pathogens and life threatening microbes exhibiting a frightening trend of resistance to chemicals, UK-based manufacturer of decontamination equipment, Osprey Deep Clean, has come up with the answer - dry steam vapour.
This process, backed by the substantiation of microbiological research and lab testing, has recently been introduced into South Africa and other global markets, arguably in the nick of time. Reports abound, particularly in South Africa, of the poor standards of hygiene in clinics and hospitals - so much so that new born babies and other vulnerable patients are constantly at risk.
Death of 22 babies at Durban hospital could have been prevented
The 2006 tragedy at a Durban hospital where twenty-two babies died after an outbreak of Klebsiella, for instance, could have been prevented had the dry steam vapour technology been in place.
This addition to professional steam cleaners and industrial steam cleaning equipment has won an award recently for its steam-sanitising process that completely eradicates infection. It was given an irrevocable 'yes' at the International HCAI (Healthcare Associated Infections) Technology Innovation Summit Awards in London in February.
For the first time, in industrial steam cleaning history, a department of health in a first world nation, the United Kingdom, has given the nod to the efficacy of the dry steam vapour technology and has recognised its extraordinary ability in advancing the standard of hygiene in healthcare and other challenging environments.
'Kill' rate of between 80% and 90%
According to laboratory testing, validated by the prominent Applied Science Lab in the Netherlands, the Osprey Deep Clean system destroyed antibiotic resistant superbugs in less than two seconds and recorded a microbial 'kill' rate of between 80% and 90%.
Osprey Deepclean's offerings are fully integrated steam cleaning systems using specifically designed tools and accessories and are particularly effective at the proverbial vanguard of disease. An innovative water filter vacuum ensures there is no cross-contamination.
Apart from its proven efficacy in the eradication of both common strains of infection as well as the notorious superbugs that constantly adapt and resist the onslaught of chemicals, dry steam vapour has the added benefit of reaching difficult areas, ensuring the 'complete' sanitising process.
Validation of the OspreyDeepclean Steam Cleaning Technology in the Healthcare Environment
OspreyDeepclean has developed a Dry Steam Vapour (DSV) cleaning technology for the cleaning and disinfection of medical devices such as patient beds, mattresses, privacy curtains, seats and other common hand contact surfaces (plastic laminate, stainless steel, vinyl, wood) typically found in healthcare environments. The technology is based on the application of controlled superheated dry steam vapour by purpose-designed steam vapour delivery tools.
In close cooperation between TNO, UCLH and OspreyDeepclean design engineers, a study was designed to investigate and validate the safety, suitability and efficacy of the system in the daily and periodic cleaning practice within a hospital environment.The study focussed on the efficacy and removal of bio-film and microbiological decontamination of the 'risk' contact surfaces for patients and clinical staff in a hospital environment.
The definition of cleaning / disinfection performance, within the context of the study, is stated as the successful removal of measured contaminants from the target surfaces using a combination of steam vapour and mechanical cleaning methods. Cleaning and decontamination is achieved through vapour penetration, soil release and physical removal by vacuum extraction and or microfibre absorption. In some instances thermal disinfection and elimination of susceptible micro-organisms was achieved.
Results
- The final test results are equal to or better than standard chemical disinfection practices, using detergent and chlorine based compounds
- The Dry Steam Vapour method of surface cleaning and decontamination demonstrates pass results without the risk to health or environmental damage or impact on microbiological sensitivity or resistance associated with inappropriate antimicrobial / disinfectant use
- The use of Dry Steam Vapour in cleaning technology is environmentally friendly
- It is concluded that - with correct tool selection and application of the Standard Operating Procedure, DSV cleaning using the OspreyDeepclean healthcare tools stated - no aerosol hazard is expected within a hospital environment
- With competency based operator training DSV delivers effective deep cleaning and soil removal without the use of ecologically damaging biocides
- It is recommended that original equipment manufacturers review the OspreyDeepclean SOPs for cleaning and decontamination and publish specific validated standards for DSV cleaning of their respective equipment where appropriate
Test equipment
Prototype ProVap 7 Vac
2.600 watts max 7 bar g
Boiler pressure temperature nominal 175°C
Temperature measured at tool connector outlet 131°C
Three steam volume settings
Three vacuum settings
Steam & Vac Professional - Digital
3200 watts max 5.5 bar g.
Boiler pressure temperature nominal 162°C
Temperature measured at tool connector outlet 133°C
Three steam volume settings
Three vacuum settings
Temperatures of steam at point of exit of each steam cleaning tool used in the study were measured using a thermocouple probe and a digital thermometer.
Infection control: steam cleaning
Heralded as a new generation advanced dry steam cleaning system, the ProVap from OspreyDeepclean offers increased effectiveness, improved hygiene, and even self-disinfecting capabilities
The new ProVap technology from OspreyDeepclean is said to be the world's first steam cleaning system to offer proven validated results for decontamination.
It is a truism that cleaning materials and equipment by their very use soon become dirty and contaminated and thus liable to transport the contamination into other areas. We've all seen a dirty mop. Hence the problems with infection control in hospital wards around the globe, compounded perhaps by an over-reliance upon inefficiently applied cleaning chemicals - to which bacteria could potentially become increasingly resistant.
Front line decontamination
ProVap is a fully integrated steam cleaning system using new tools and accessories conceived, tried, tested and developed in co-operation with the healthcare industry. When working in combination with OspreyDeepclean Standard Operating Procedures, the ProVap system is designed specifically for deployment as a front line decontamination tool for infection prevention and control measures.
The ProVap range was developed only after thorough evidence-based microbiological research and laboratory evaluation, and is the first and only such system in the world to provide a steam based cleaning and decontamination system that is outcome assured.
Successful
Tests conducted by the Hospital Infection Protection Environmental Research (HIPER) Unit at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), confirm that the OspreyDeepclean process, without the use of any chemicals, successfully decontaminated all of the surface types purposely contaminated with a heavy microbiological burden of test organisms.
The results were validated by microbiological measures following the cleaning procedure for each surface, which established that rapid and total decontamination of all test surfaces was achieved. Air sampling during steam cleaning confirmed the procedure did not cause aerosolisation of micro-organisms.
Effective against MRSA, Acinetobacter, VRE, Klebsiella, Enterococcus faecalis and Clostridium difficile spores, ProVap technology is thus ideally suited for decontamination of high-risk, high-contact hospital surfaces, such as bed frames, mattresses, and chairs.
The stainless steel body of the ProVap is itself easy to keep clean of bacteria and the new water filter vacuum features innovative to and patent pending steam disinfecting chambers to avoid cross-contamination.
ProVap technology thus not only combats a broad spectrum of HAIs and food bacteria found in healthcare environments, and the food processing industry, but is also a vital tool for cleaning in educational institutions, supermarkets, and other areas where hygiene is important.
User-friendliness of the new system has been greatly enhanced by offering a range of new accessories and innovative time and labour saving features.
The new VaporMop, for example, can deliver cleaning coverage of up to 250 m2 per hour versus 100m2 offered by conventional steam and vacuum methods alone; this is achieved through the synergies of steam and microfibre combined, greatly improving physical lift of contaminating debris and reducing the risk of "trips and slips".
Unique
The OspreyDeepclean design and development team has also focused on repair and serviceability, bringing to market a completely unique and innovative modular concept achieving minimum machine downtime in case of mechanical failure assuring that effective cleaning can soon continue. A 12 month project in the making, OspreyDeepclean has a long and proud history in the design, development and manufacture of steam cleaning machines.
"The ProVap project is the culmination of our many years experience as specialists in this field", says OspreyDeepclean managing director Thomas Stuecken, "and it has naturally received extensive high level participation from our key team members from every division of the company working in the UK, Holland, France and the USA.
"In steam cleaning machine design, development, and manufacture, OspreyDeepclean maintains a unique position as the leading global specialist. By introducing ProVap as a result of our realisation of the science behind steam cleaning we have now pushed the boundaries still further."
Deep cleaning of emergency vehicles and ambulances.
Our Osprey range make the hard job of removing heavy soiling as well an array of blood products look easy, making the vehicles safe for personnel and patients.
