Smart Solutions for Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) is a national programme that aims to bring forward new technologies with the potential to reduce HCAI rates within the NHS. The programme was run by TrusTECH®, The North West of England NHS Innovations Hub, on behalf of the Department of Health’s HCAI Technology Innovation Programme, and supported by the NHS National Innovation Centre.
Following a national call for innovative products and technologies from a range of diverse industries, nine products were selected for further evaluation within an NHS hospital. The aim of the evaluation was to assess the potential of the product to contribute to the reduction of HCAIs in a scientifically robust manner.
Nanopool was one of the products selected for evaluation. Nanopool is a nano-scale liquid glass coating that can be applied to a range of surfaces. It is produced by Nanopool GmbH, a German based company with an international presence. The coating originated from the architectural industry where it was originally developed for anti-graffiti applications. It is now used in a variety of industries including food processing, catering, automotive and agriculture. Nanopool claimed that application of the Nanopool coating to a surface results in a super-hydrophobic layer that resists the formation of dirt and makes surfaces easier to clean, and that the ion-exchange mechanism in Nanopool prevents bacterial growth. The aim of the product evaluation was to independently substantiate these claims in a clinical setting.
The trial was undertaken in Southport and Formby District General Hospital with Martin Kiernan, the Nurse Consultant for the Prevention and Control of Infection acting as the Principal Investigator.
