Why Antimicrobial Paint for Businesses is Surging in Blaine, Minnesota
Elderly adults and others who seek medical care in hospitals or nursing facilities may have compromised immune systems that may make them more susceptible to microorganisms and infections. People whose immune systems are weakened face higher risks of contracting health care-acquired infections (HAI) while they are receiving care in hospitals and other medical facilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 31 hospital patients contracts an HAI. The problem of acquiring infections while in health care settings has become even more concerning with the advent of COVID-19.
The problem of HAIs is compounded by the longer periods that elderly adults spend indoors versus outside. In enclosed environments, people are likelier to become sick because of the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold that circulates through the air and lingers on surfaces. People who spend more time outside may be at a lower risk of contracting infections because microorganisms can be disbursed by the airflow and lessen the chance that people will be exposed enough to become ill.
One phenomenon that has been described in the medical literature is called sick building syndrome. This issue occurs when people inside of buildings suffer health problems because of the indoor air quality. Visitors and employees may experience health issues lasting only during their visits to an impacted building. However, this phenomenon can cause more significant problems when it impacts a residential facility such as a nursing facility.
To combat the problems of HAIs and sick building syndrome, an increasing number of hospitals and senior living facilities are turning to antimicrobial coatings. These primers and paints can reduce the percentage of pathogens inside of an indoor space. Antimicrobial coatings and paints can kill up to 99% of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mold. Using these coatings on equipment, walls, and other surfaces inside of a facility can help to prevent people from developing new infections and illnesses.
How do antimicrobial coatings increase safety in senior living and medical facilities?
Modern senior living facilities emphasize helping their residents to enjoy as active lifestyles as possible. Being active helps to enrich the lives of residents. However, it also increases the opportunities for developing infections.
One way to offer additional protection is to use antimicrobial coatings. Antimicrobial paints can be applied to many different surfaces that could otherwise collect microorganisms and drive up the rates of infections inside of facilities.
Antimicrobial coatings both inhibit the growth of microorganisms and actively destroy any that contact the treated surfaces. The top antimicrobial coating is Paint Shield from Sherwin Williams, but other brands are now also producing antimicrobial paints.
According to Sherwin Williams, Paint Shield can protect people from all of the following types of pathogens:
- E. coli
- Enterobacter aerogenes
- MRSA
- Staph
- VRE
Before Paint Shield could be marketed as an antimicrobial coating, it had to undergo strict laboratory testing. The tests demonstrated that Paint Shield destroys up to 99.9% of microorganisms within two hours of when they contact the treated surfaces. The effectiveness of this coating can last for years without additional applications if the surface’s integrity is maintained. However, reapplications of coatings should be included as a part of a facility’s normal maintenance routine.
Paint Shield was first released in the market in 2015. Since that time, thousands of U.S. senior living facilities have used this antimicrobial coating to safeguard their employees and residents.
Antimicrobial coatings help treated surfaces to continue looking great
In addition to fighting disease-causing bacteria, antimicrobial paint also helps to resist the growth of mildew and mold. This feature makes them a great choice to use in bathrooms and other areas that are humid or moist. Choosing antimicrobial coatings can help to make the surfaces that are treated to maintain their great appearance for a much longer time by preventing the growth of unsightly mildew and mold.
The antimicrobial additives included in microbiocidal paints also helps to give the products a much longer shelf-life. Since the additives fight the growth of mildew, mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms, the paint will last much longer once the cans are opened than other types of paint.
Antimicrobial coatings help to prevent illnesses caused by human error
While senior living facilities and hospitals have strict sanitation protocols, bacteria and viruses can be introduced into their environments by people. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the difficulty that people have with avoiding touching their faces and noses. It takes a single gesture to potentially introduce a pathogen into a medical or senior living facility.
Food service is one area through which E. coli and staph are commonly spread. While these microorganisms may respond to antibiotics, VRE and MRSA are resistant to most antibiotics.
Applying Paint Shield can help to control and prevent the spread of infection. Here are some of the areas where it can help.
Areas used to prepare food
If a facility includes on-site food preparation, the areas used to prepare the food carry a higher risk for the introduction of infectious agents. E. coli and staph are common culprits in food poisoning incidents. A tiny amount of bacteria can cause infections causing many serious symptoms. Applying antimicrobial coatings to the surface areas used for food preparation can make it easier to prevent infection and to keep the areas clean.
Areas used for medical storage
Many medical and senior living facilities include medication management and administration as a part of the daily experiences of residents and patients. The areas where medications are stored must be kept clean and refrigerated at all times. Applying antimicrobial coatings to the doors, walls, counters, and other surfaces can help to prevent cross-contamination problems.
Employee break rooms
Employees of senior living and medical facilities need places where they can take breaks. Employee break rooms provide staff members with a place to eat lunch, relax, and prepare for the remainder of their workdays. Using antimicrobial coatings in employee break rooms can help to maintain the safety and health of the employees who use these areas.
Taking proactive measures can help to minimize the risk of health care-acquired infections in senior living and medical facilities. Antimicrobial coatings offer a powerful preventative measure to protect the health of residents, patients, and employees.
Contact the commercial painters at Schwartz and Sons Painting
Facility managers and owners in Blaine MN may want to consider hiring commercial painters to apply antimicrobial coatings to the surfaces in their facilities. Hiring professionals to complete an antimicrobial commercial painting project can help to ensure that the project is completed efficiently and with the best results. Contact Schwartz and Sons Painting today to obtain a quote by calling us at 763-296-2125.