Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections with Active-Loaded Silicone Materials

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major area of concern for providers, payers, and patients alike. These infections play a significant role in the estimated 44,000 to 98,000 preventable health care-associated deaths in America each year. Plus, with new regulatory mandates for Medicare and Medicaid prohibiting federal payments to states for treatment of certain hospital-acquired conditions, there is increasing pressure on hospitals to find new and better solutions for prevention. Silicone elastomers and adhesives preloaded with anti-infective additives for medical devices provide an example of the type of materials innovation that can help advance health care in this present environment.