The first tap filter that reduces patient exposure to waterborne pathogens for up to fourteen days was launched by Pall Corporation. The new Pall-Aquasafe AQ14F1S filter doubles the duration of protection by providing an effective barrier from harmful microorganisms including Legionella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, protozoa and fungal spores. It gives hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities the ability to reduce patient exposure to waterborne pathogens for twice the length of time.
The extended life of the new filter cuts the number of filter changes in half reducing both labor time and waste disposal costs. It complements Pall's 14-day disposable filter portfolio for all microorganisms at point-of-use (shower, tap, and in-line applications).
The filter's efficacy is a result of a proprietary advanced membrane technology that provides higher throughput for even better flow and more resilience to blockage. Its bacteriostatic additive throughout the polymer housing decreases the risk of retrograde contamination both inside and outside the filter. The advanced membrane has increased robustness and tolerance making it compatible with an even larger variety of chemical and thermal disinfection techniques.
"In addition to being validated as an effective barrier to harmful waterborne pathogens, the new filter is economical for hospitals, reducing costs per day to protect patients from exposure to waterborne pathogens," said Dr. Stefan Rother.
Waterborne pathogens are a cause of hospital-acquired infections that can result in increased sickness, antibiotic use, and length of hospital stay.
Healthcare water filtration is a fast growing market with the increasing recognition that systemic thermal and chemical treatments do not resolve the problem of waterborne pathogens and biofilm that can adversely affect patients. In many countries, point-of-use sterile filtration is required or recommended by infectious disease experts for high-risk hospital units, such as bone marrow transplant units. As more hospitals around the world continue to turn to point-of use filtration in their high-risk units, their positive patient protection experience is driving expansion.
Pall develops products for filtration, separation, and purification.