A London NHS hospital has been researching the effectiveness of electrolysed water as a potential sanitiser since November 2011.
The aim of the research is to establish conclusively that existing global research into electrolysed water stands up to scrutiny.
Chlorine, the long standing ‘gold standard’ within the NHS is being trialled against acidic electrolysed water (hypochlorous acid) produced by a Hoshizaki ROX-10, using recognised EN standards, including EN1040 and EN1276.
The EN standards are being replicated in vitro as would normally be the case for testing a sanitiser by a laboratory. However, more importantly, for the purpose of practical use, it is also being researched in vivo.
Several strains of bacteria are being used including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Acinetobacter baumannii, previously, susceptible to common antibiotics, but now multidrug-resistant.
This research has been sponsored by the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS) whose objectives are to advance knowledge of, foster scientific interest in and disseminate information about the prevention and control of hospital and other healthcare associated infections, to medical and allied professionals for the benefit of the public.
The full report will be published in September 2012 and will be presented at the Healthcare Infection Society Conference in November.
