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Vestagen to provide Vestex protected uniforms to Baptist

25 Jun '14

4 min read

Vestagen Technical Textiles, Inc. announced it has finalized a five-year, multi-million dollar contract to provide Baptist Health of Jacksonville, Fla. with white coats and scrubs protected by Vestagen's proprietary Vestex fabric. Vestex combines breathability, fluid-repellency and antimicrobial activity to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission on soft-surfaces. The agreement marks the largest contract in Vestagen's history.

"This large-scale adoption of Vestex protected attire is not only a major milestone for our company it is also a major milestone in U.S. healthcare. Baptist Health is making the first widespread commitment to proactively improve healthcare worker and patient safety by utilizing advanced textile technology," said Ben Favret, president and CEO of Vestagen. "Vestagen is absolutely privileged to partner with a leading hospital system like Baptist Health to demonstrate that what healthcare workers wear should serve as a barrier against harmful pathogens."

Vestex fabric is fluid-repellant to reduce the acquisition and retention of contaminants and made with an embedded antimicrobial to inhibit the growth of bacteria on the fabric. It is the first fabric clinically proven to minimize the acquisition and retention of pathogens.

According to a clinical study published in the journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, ICU staff wearing Vestex had greater than 99.99 percent fewer methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) organisms present on their uniforms, both before and after a shift, compared to workers wearing traditional non-protective uniforms. The fabric is also breathable with the ability to quickly wick away moisture from the inside, providing comfort to the wearer and a constant professional appearance.

Baptist Health is investing in its conversion to Vestex uniforms as part of a new system-wide effort to leverage technology to enhance their culture of safety. The uniforms will be distributed to more than 6,000 staff members involved in direct patient care across its five-hospital system starting on July 9. Baptist Health also plans to extend Vestex protection to patients later this year through the deployment of new patient apparel custom designed in collaboration with Vestagen to enhance patient protection and dignity.

"Our decision to protect our staff with Vestex attire is an investment in enhancing the culture of safety for our employees and patients," said Diane Raines, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Baptist Health. "We believe the proactive steps we are taking to minimize the role attire can play in transmitting pathogens will soon be the new standard in preventing unexpected exposures. This is part of our commitment to change health care for good. As early adopters of this new technology we will share what we learn with others in our industry."