Jeff Smith, President/CEO of Electro-Spec, Inc. testified on June 26, 2014 before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Research and Technology Committee on Science, Space and Technology regarding “Technology for the Patient Safety at Veterans Hospitals.
FRANKLIN, INDIANA -- Jeff Smith, President/CEO of Electro-Spec, Inc. was honored to testify this morning before the United States House of Representatives: Subcommittee on Research and Technology Committee on Science, Space and Technology for the hearing entitled: Technology for the Patient Safety at Veterans Hospitals
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With the recent focus on the care of veterans and the quality of veteran health facilities, the U.S. House of Representatives convened this hearing to review technologies that would improve the overall safety of patients in Veterans Hospitals. In addition, the committee heard testimony about new technologies that can reduce the high rate of Hospital Acquired Infections or HAIs in Veterans Hospitals in the United States. HAI’s are various types of infections that patients acquire while they are receiving care or treatment for another condition in a health care environment.
It was noted at the hearing that today, despite the United States being a leader in technological and medical innovative, HAI is the 4th leading cause of death in the country. In addition, a report by the Center for Disease (CDC) found that 1 out of every 20 patients treated in a hospital, will become infected with a HAI.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has identified the reduction of HAI’s as an “Agency Priority Goal” for the Department. HHS has stated that it is committed to reducing the national rate of HAI’s by demonstrating significant, quantitative and measurable reductions in HAI’s, which has led to newly established goals with a target date of 2020. The name for this initiative is the HAI National Action Plan. This has the support of; U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, along with scientists, clinicians and health leaders.
As a leader in electroplating technology, Jeff Smith testified to Congress about the company’s antimicrobial electroplating finish that will help revolutionize how the healthcare industry battles the epidemic of HAI’s. Mr. Smith provided examples of tests that have been conducted that prove this process demonstrates antimicrobial functionality against both E.coli (CRE) and S. Aureus (MRSA) at a rate greater than 99%. Electro-Spec’s President went on to note that currently fighting these deadly bacteria involves “best practices”, which include hand washing and sterilization. While effective, they are reactionary in nature. However, Mr. Smith noted that with Electro-Spec’s antimicrobial finish, the battle is fought proactively. This is a continuous and sustainable finish that dramatically reduces the possibility for inadvertent transmission of pathogens through human contact. Testing has also shown that repeated cleaning with bleach cleaner will not negatively impact the antimicrobial properties of the finish.
Electro-Spec believes that the possibilities are endless with this process.
About Electro-Spec, Inc.
Electro-Spec, Inc. is continually recognized as one of the leading specialty plating facilities in the United States. With a customer base from North America to Asia and Europe, Electro-Spec is synonymous with high quality and high reliability Gold, Silver, Nickel, Copper and Tri-M3™(Tri-Alloy) electroplating.
Value Through Innovation is a common theme that can be heard and seen within the walls of Electro-Spec. The name Electro-Spec is synonymous with; high quality, high reliability, safety critical, life altering and lifesaving. This is what drives Electro-Spec to not only be a “community partner”, but a “world partner.”
The company is a supplier to many of the leading Medical, Aerospace, Automotive and RF/Microwave companies in the world providing each with high quality electroplating services. To contact Electro-Spec, visit their website at www.electro-spec.com or email: plating@electro-spec.com.
