Disinfection - Technological Solutions?
Gareth Thomson, Lecturer / Researcher, Aston University

Infection control is a major issue for healthcare providers with the human and financial costs of both isolated cases and major outbreaks of infection very significant.

Prevention of infection and effective treatment of any infection which might occur, must therefore be a high priority.

Traditional techniques have included the cleaning of wards and devices with steam and/or chemical disinfectants while infection within patients is treated with antibiotics or disinfectants.

• Are there ways medical device technology can help?
• Can sources of infection be reduced by careful device design?
• Can technology help us quickly and effectively assess infection risks?
• Can new techniques help us deal with infective agents? Let us also discuss light activated photosensitisation techniques and any other specific infection control issues.