Pall-Aquasafe protects patients from exposure to waterborne contaminated medical...( East Hills NY (Feb. 17 2005)- - Hospi...)

East Hills, NY (Feb. 17, 2005)- - Hospital water is a significant source of microbial contamination contributing to the increase of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections worldwide, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality especially among immunocompromised patients. Healthcare regulators around the globe have issued guidelines, many specifying the use of 0.2 micron point-of use filters, to prevent patient exposure to microbiologically contaminated water from drinking or while showering, bathing or hand washing. Attention is now focusing on preventing the problem of exposing patients to contaminated water from commonly used medical devices, such as flexible endoscopes.

To address the problem, Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL) is introducing in Europe the Pall-AquasafeTM AQF1C water filter, the latest addition to its line of point-of-use water filters for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The new filter is specifically designed to prevent microbial contamination of heat-sensitive medical devices as well as machines that dispense ice and water. The disposable filter, which is installed in the water supply line, is a CE-marked medical device for the European market. It contains a 0.2 micron bacterial retention membrane validated to produce bacteria-free water.

Gastroscopes, colonoscopes, bronchoscopes and other heat-sensitive flexible endoscopes are disinfected and manually rinsed with water to insure the removal of all residual liquid chemical germicide prior to use with patients. However, the use of tap water for this critical rinsing step in the reprocessing protocol can increase the risk of nosocomial infection if it is contaminated with bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila and other pathogens that can be passed to patients. The World Health Organization recommends that microbiologically clean, sterile or bacteriological controlled water should be used when rinsing medical equipment.

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Contact: Marcia Katz
marcia_katz@pall.com
516-801-9128
Pall Corporation
17-Feb-2005

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