Philips - Improved Hygiene That Lasts!

Do you ever wonder how many germs thrive on your dictation device?

VIENNA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Germs have become a growing problem in hospitals worldwide, as they cause disfiguring and life-threatening infections. These bacteria are not only dangerous but also hard to eliminate and may even become multiresistant against antibiotics and disinfectants, experts warn. Concern over infections acquired in clinics has intensified.

In Europe, about 3 million people are infected annually with multidrug-resistant bacteria, resulting in a death toll of about 25,000 patients. These infections cost the European health-care system at least €1.5 billion.*

With its antimicrobial coating, the Philips SpeechMike leaps ahead of the competition yet again

The Philips SpeechMike is the only dictation microphone on the market to feature an antimicrobial surface. Furthermore, the antimicrobial effect of the SpeechMike is not achieved by a simple coating which could be wiped off by cleaning detergents – it is based on an additive agent directly added to the housing material.

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One of the main advantages of the newest generation SpeechMike is that it guards against all kinds of germs.** While antibacterial media work exclusively against bacteria, antimicrobial materials work against a wide range of different microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g. pneumococcal bacilli and multiresistant microorganisms such as MRSA), viruses (e.g. HIV, influenza, etc.), fungi (e.g. Aspergillus niger), or algae. This antimicrobial effect on the SpeechMike lasts at least for five years. Studies on the effect of the antimicrobial additive in the SpeechMike housing parts have shown that, on average, it eliminates 99.9% of E. coli and M. luteus bacteria as well as 98.4% of Staphylococcus aureus.

The antimicrobial additive agents on the SpeechMike have the effect that:

• The settling and transmission of germs are reduced

• Nosocomial infections are decreased

• The risk of cleaning is reduced

• Resistances are avoided

Reduced carbon footprint

In addition to its phenomenal antimicrobial coating, the SpeechMike is a Philips-certified green product, reducing its carbon footprint by around 28% compared to its predecessor. This includes:

• 43% lower energy consumption

• 51% reduction in packaging material

• 16% reduction in product weight

**According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

***According to studies conducted by SteriOne GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin, and ofi Technologie & Innovation GmbH, Vienna.

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