Automated, POC Disinfectant System Helps Combat COVID-19 and Healthcare Associated Pathogens

Sterifre Medical, Inc. (Kirkland, Wash., USA) has been granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin commercial deployment of AURA, the company's novel, automated device disinfectant system. AURA system is believed to be the first registered, automated, point-of-care solution providing fast disinfection for non-critical medical devices and common articles used in the healthcare environment. It replaces the need for cumbersome and often challenging manual disinfection with wipes, reducing exposure of health care workers and patients alike to pathogens that cause healthcare associated infections (HAI).

Research finds up to 97% of common healthcare equipment may be contaminated with multiple organisms. The AURA system utilizes a patented application of hydrogen peroxide and activated oxygen to inactivate microorganisms that cause disease. It also significantly reduces the amount of time spent on manual disinfection, is more cost effective than current methods, and can improve the quality of direct patient care. The AURA disinfection system plugs in to a standard electrical outlet in any hospital or clinic patient care area, taking up about the same counterspace as a laptop computer.

As a regulator for microbicides used for hospital disinfection, the EPA's registration for Sterifre recognizes the company conducted extensive microbial testing using EPA approved protocols at a laboratory under industry standard "Good Lab Practice (GLP)". Sterifre also meets the EPA approval requirements under the Emerging Viral Pathogens Program for inactivating SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because the AURA system has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2.

The AURA technology uses a well-recognized disinfectant that is consumed in the process, leaving no residual disinfectant. Since the only byproduct of AURA is clean air, it can be used anywhere there is an electrical outlet. The system continuously monitors treatment parameters and automatically indicates when disinfection is completed.

"Our first-of-its kind AURA system was designed to address many of the challenges that healthcare facilities face today. Sterifre is committed to putting fully validated, approved, state-of-the-art tools in the hands of healthcare workers," said Mike Goonewardene, chief commercial officer at Sterifre.

"The EPA is very focused on providing access to innovative solutions like our AURA disinfection system. Our approval and subsequent filings are for a broad set of efficacy claims." explained Richard Shea, chief executive officer at Sterifre.

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