Are healthcare vehicle carpets obsolete?
British Red Cross adheres to new legislation

New legislation regarding all healthcare vehicles is soon expected to be passed, which will mean that all Health Authority Fleet Managers have to make sure that vehicle interiors are impervious to any liquids including bodily fluids.

Because vehicles are a potential source of infection and contamination from bacteria and microbial activity, the UK’s Care Quality Commission is developing new legislation relating to the lining of vehicles used for transporting patients and also vehicles used for the movement of sterile equipment or medical supplies. Vehicles lined with materials such as carpet or cloth-based fabrics, and any interior liable to the ingress of liquids, will not be allowed to transport patients or any medical equipment or supplies.

Healthcare Associated Infections (known as HCAIs) are rife within healthcare environments and are caused by a wide variety of micro-organisms, including 'superbugs' such as MRSA. The Health Protection Agency estimates that around eight per cent of patients in English hospitals had an HCAI in 2006. With healthcare transport vehicles being a logistical link between patient and hospital, it is vital that Health Authority vehicle owners protect staff and public by ensuring vehicle interiors are impervious to liquids and vehicle interior load area contamination.

Vehicle load-carrying areas can suffer cracks, abrasions and scratched surfaces, providing an instant haven for bacteria; even Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) fibreglass-lined vehicles are susceptible. However, a tough, durable, polymer spray-on lining has been developed for the healthcare transport industry. SPEEDLINER® HC (Hygiene Coat) is an active anti-microbial, anti-bacterial vehicle interior lining system that helps protect against contamination from bacterial strains such as MRSA, E-coli and salmonella. This unique spray-on liner also offers
control and protection against fungi, mould and mildew.

A SPEEDLINER® HC-lined vehicle creates a hygienic, safe interior surface for patients, equipment and clinical supplies.

Arnold Clark Automobiles is Europe’s largest independent motor dealer with over 145 branches nationwide, and their specialist coach-building facility based in East Kilbride, Scotland, has recently designed and constructed a special project, providing the Dundee branch of the British Red Cross with a purpose-built vehicle that has been completely interior-lined with SPEEDLINER® HC, and TOPCAT 6 HC gloss easy clean finish.

William Paterson, General Manager of Arnold Clark Coachbuilders, says: “Due to the development of new legislation, all healthcare vehicles must contain washable and wipe-clean surfaces that will leave carpeted vehicles obsolete. Following consultation with the end-user, we carried out a bespoke build of the British Red Cross vehicle including a spray-on application of anti-bacterial products developed by SPEEDLINER® EUROPE LTD. Having successfully carrying out a similar conversion for a local mountain rescue team, we had no hesitation in recommending the use of Speedliner® for this application. If this new legislation is put in to action, all healthcare vehicles will need to be lined with an extremely tough and durable interior coating such as SPEEDLINER® HC and TOPCAT 6 HC, which will help prevent contamination and reduce cross infection risks,” he said.

Sample applications and testing have also been carried out by SPEEDLINER® EUROPE LTD to successfully overcoat a range of existing vehicle interior cloth and fabric linings, including various carpet materials.

“With this extra versatile application, we now have the potential to refurbish existing specialist hospital patient and personnel transportation, to meet the new legislation standards to give these vehicles a compliant and extended ‘work-life’ ”, added William Paterson.

SPECIAL AMBULANCE BUILT FOR DUNDEE BRANCH - BRITISH RED CROSS BY ARNOLD CLARK COACHBUILDERS – EAST KILBRIDE