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Exciting News from Eco Ninjas!
We are excited to announce that Eco Ninjas will be launching the first pilot of our badge hats in the Orthopaedic Theatres at Musgrove Park Hospital in January/February 2025. This marks an exciting start to the New Year, and we are confident that it will set a strong precedent for the rest of the trust and other hospitals to follow.
In addition, we are in ongoing discussions with several other hospitals that are eager to transition to this sustainable solution. These hospitals are working to ensure the implementation process is as efficient as possible, taking into account the important logistics of laundering the hats.
Switching from single-use, disposable products to a reusable alternative requires thoughtful planning and coordination, and we are dedicated to helping hospitals navigate this transition smoothly.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind our customers that our products have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality, durability, and safety.
This ensures that we are providing not only an eco-friendly option but also a reliable, effective one for healthcare settings.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make a positive impact on the environment and the healthcare industry!
Efficacy and testing
We anticipated questions concerning the potential of the badges falling off into the sterile field, so we performed a peel test conducted by an independent test centre in Cambridge. A team of expert engineers measured the force in Newtons to remove several badges from the hats. The forces on the first removal were not significantly different to the 400th removal and none of the press studs failed during the tests. This fixation method provided a secure, reliable closure without the need for complicated mechanisms. Peel test report
A degradation test was also conducted on the badges by experts, in which they were submerged in various cleaning chemicals for 25 hours. The results showed that the badges maintained their quality, with no degradation in material or fading of the print.
This demonstrated their durability and suitability for repeated use in healthcare environments. The stainless-steel press studs on the badges proved that after being exposed to the substances for an extended period, they maintained their integrity and did not weaken or corrode after this prolonged exposure. Degradation test
Wash testing on the hats has also been conducted by two independent laundries and the hats passed all tests. One is a small laundry based in Shrewsbury and the other is Elis, who launders a large proportion of scrubs and hospital garments already throughout the UK, Elis has confirmed that if they launder scrubs for hospitals, they will also launder their hats!
In a microbial study which Eco Ninjas (formally Warwick Med) conducted with Birmingham University, it was found that a non-worn, ‘clean’ disposable theatre cap had more microbes on it than used fabric hats after being worn for a full shift!
Why? It was hypothesised due to cross-contamination of dipping fingers inside the box of single-use caps. Hand washing before retrieving a disposable cap from a box is not mandatory. Microbial theatre cap study
The badges from the badge hats can be washed with any hard surface wipe, or with soap and water and the hats can be laundered like scrubs so infection control measures would be improved if staff are compliant with this recommendation. Because press studs are simple and have no intricate parts that can trap dirt or bacteria, they are generally considered hygienic.
In contrast to buttons, press studs are less likely to harbour pathogens when used in environments where cleanliness is paramount. Press studs are simple to fasten and unfasten, making them a practical option for busy healthcare environments where staff may need to quickly attach their badges and remove them after a busy shift.
As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to wish everyone a festive December filled with joy, peace, and meaningful moments.
Whether you're celebrating the holiday season or simply taking time to reflect, we hope this month brings happiness and relaxation to all.
Here's to a sustainable and bright start to the New Year!
Thank you for being part of our journey, and we look forward to all the exciting things ahead in 2025 !