Detergent-proof pulp washbowl

It is a biodegradable pulp product capable of holding both warm water and detergent. Ward evaluation of the single-use washbowls across four NHS Trusts has been encouraging. Feedback from 92 nurses who used the product showed that 98.5% thought the bowl would reduce the likelihood of infection, while 93.2% said that the product saved nurse time.

Suitable for bed baths, hand washing, general surface cleaning, wound care, shaving and continence care, the four-litre hygienic bowls are also environmentally friendly as they are made using 100% recycled paper and disintegrate with cold water maceration to wash down the drain with the wastewater.

Laboratory research undertaken for Vernacare by Aston University shows the infection risks of plastic washbowls. Microbial contamination was measured in two plastic washbowls, each supplied by a different hospital. Staphylococci bacteria, which can cause food poisoning and skin, wound, bloodstream and urinary tract infections, were found on both bowls, alongside Pseudamonas bacteria and Penicillum, Aspergillus and mucor fungi.

Karen Haslam, managing director of Vernacare, said: “Hospital-acquired infections are costing the NHS £930 million per annum, which is enough money to fund around 31,000 additional nurses.

Vernaclean’s new detergent proof, single-use wash bowl is a positive step forward in the fight against cross-infections, such as MRSA and C. diff, and we are delighted that it has been so positively received in our pre-launch hospital evaluations.”

The bowls are available via the NHS Supply Chain or direct from Vernacare.