Could this machine be the answer to combating the so-called “super-bugs”? Technology to the rescue (once again)? Anybody know anything about it?

I wonder how it would affect my asthma.

Lee

Ive just been reading that story myself.
Is there something in all this "herbal medicine" mumbo jumbo?
I wonder if our local GP's will be replaced by witch doctors.
Its worth a try, and i guess their salaries will be lower.

Any technology that helps reduces MRSA infection if good.

Spraying oil into the air seems odd. I would have to the question. The body already uses oil to protect against infection. In burns patient this natural barrier has been removed, can you not just paint the oil on in stead to help form natural barrier.

No spray into the atmosphere, and maybe causing lung problem.

Or check out article written a couple of months ago on UVC light: http://www.ebme.co.uk/arts/air/index.htm

A.M

Did you see the report on the BBC:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6444553.stmwhichBirmingham's Selly Oak Hospital is swapping steel for copper in an 18-month trial to test the theory that copper surfaces can help reduce MRSA?

Lee

There is some amazing technology out there. I have a UV unit in on trial in the EBME dept at Bedford. The infection control nurse thinks its a good idea but it is difficult to prove it would benefit the Hospital.

BUT ALSO - There have been no MRSA outbreaks in the EBME dept.

Is that 'Management Resourced Servicing Activity'.

If my memory serves correctly, about twenty years ago in Riyadh, the Hercules planes were kitted out as an operating theatre and ITU. I'm sure the ceiling of the op theatre was lined with lots of small UV lamps for the very purpose of "sterilising" the theatre.

UV tubes have been used in, shall we say, “down market” (or, perhaps, make-shift), operating theatres for years. Not too sure about the efficacy of this approach, though. What sort of distances are we talking about? Can it really be that cheap and easy, I wonder?

Vapourising essential oils to combat MRSA sounds like a good idea, used as well as and not instead of good cleaning, as the article says.

Many common essential oils are strongly anti-septic and anti-viral; furthermore since each one is a mixture of many different compounds (typically various aromatic ketones, aldehydes and esters)it would be hard for the bugs to develop resistance. Being highly concentrated and very volatile, it wouldn't feel like 'having oil sprayed into the air', and anyone with asthma would find their breathing unaffected or improved. (Yes, I work with essential oils in my life outside the NHS!)

Will this idea go into general use? No. Hospitals are nervous of complex natural substances, they prefer simple synthesised compounds, where any risk is underwritten by the manufacturing drug company.

Interestingly this only seems to be the case in the West; in China and India they seem to be able to use natural medicine alonside synthetic medicine without any problems.

Moira the Witch Doctor (part-time)