Two of the top priorities for hospitals and outpatient healthcare facilities are patient outcomes and staff safety. However, harmful — and all too prevalent — microbes such as MRSA and C. diff make it challenging for medical facilities to protect their patients and staff from cross contamination. In these facilities, every surface can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, making it no easy feat to maintain sanitary conditions and minimize the risk of infection.

Consider that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that every year, two million hospital patients contract a healthcare-associated infection, resulting in an estimated cost of $45 billion annually and leading to 100,000 patient deaths. Those are sobering statistics.

While a variety of antimicrobials are routinely employed in healthcare settings, these technologies utilize heavy metals, silver, triclosan or other leaching chemistries that emit low doses of toxins. In addition, once the supply of chemicals is depleted, efficacy against any microbes present diminishes.

Recognizing that there was a need for an antimicrobial that would provide protection against microbes without reliance on leaching technologies, tile industry veteran Curt Rapp, founder and CEO of The Tile Doctor, set out to find a new solution to the microbe challenge.

In 2008, Rapp learned about an antimicrobial technology being effectively used in a different industry. He reasoned that the technology could also work to prohibit microbial growth on hard surfaces such as tiles and natural stone. He partnered with seasoned tile industry expert Silver Cornia to dig a little deeper, and realized he was on to something. The team worked on perfecting the application of the antimicrobial for hard surfaces and, in 2009, received regulatory approvals for international distribution of their product, Tile Doctor Shield. In 2018, The Tile Doctor was awarded a patent to protect the unique application process.

In contrast to a leaching technology, in which the cell membranes of microbes are poisoned, Tile Doctor Shield (The Shield) provides a mechanical barrier of antimicrobial protection. Upon direct contact with surfaces treated with the antimicrobial, the cell membranes of microbes are physically “speared” (ruptured). The modified surface becomes inhospitable to a broad spectrum of bacteria, algae and fungi. No chemical remains to be consumed by microbes — or by humans.

Because the antimicrobial permanently bonds to hard surfaces, it provides continuous control of microbial growth, and will not dissipate or become depleted as long as the surface remains intact. The result is a protected environment long after traditional antimicrobials or sanitizers have stopped working, along with reliable surface protection in between routine cleanings.

The Shield is pre-applied to a material such as ceramic tile or natural stone in a factory setting. The Tile Doctor can work with any supplier that a hospital is contracted with, enabling the hospital to keep their current supply model intact. When the tiles arrive at the hospital, they look no different to the naked eye than any other tiles, yet have a protective coating that has been shown to kill 99.996 percent of MRSA within two hours. By comparison, an untreated tile would enable the MRSA count to potentially double within the same time span.

The value for healthcare facilities actually goes beyond the key antimicrobial properties. The Shield is also eco-friendly, safe for the planet and won’t cause adverse health effects in people. Since the application process permanently bonds the antimicrobial to the material, it’s safe to come in contact with treated surfaces.

“Shield is a broad spectrum antimicrobial,” says Rapp. “It has been tested to be effective against a wide array of microbes, including bacteria and viruses. At the same time, it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into the environment or off-gas volatile organic compounds. Even more important, it’s not introducing harmful chemicals or compounds to patients with compromised immune systems or weak respiratory systems.”

Another substantial benefit addresses a topic of concern in recent years, the use of harsh cleaners. Organizations like Health Care Without Harm, and even major mainstream news outlets, have reported on the problematic relationship hospitals have with cleaning agents. Some of these cleaners, due to the chemicals used, are classified as toxic, and damage the environment when they’re produced, used and/or disposed of. They also may accumulate in the bodies of individuals who are constantly exposed to them, creating health issues. As with any treatment relying on chemicals to kill bacteria, if it’s not successful — say some bacteria comes into contact with a diluted solution, for instance — there’s a chance for future generations of bacteria to develop a resistance to the chemicals.

Because The Shield also repels dirt and liquids, its use on surfaces offers a safer way to keep rooms sanitized in comparison to the traditional heavy duty cleaners that many facilities have been struggling to phase out due to their health impact on cleaning staff, and even nurses and patients. In this day of concern over superbugs, that’s a big deal. It also opens up hospitals to more choices in vendors if there’s a wider selection of products that will meet their sterilization needs.

Advances in antimicrobial technology are necessary to protect the health and safety of both patients and healthcare workers. Antimicrobial products, such as hard surfaces treated with The Shield, can be powerful weapons in ensuring microbe-free surfaces and preventing healthcare-acquired infections, while also minimizing the impact on the environment.