DESTAPH, Inc. announces the availability of First Call, a new sanitizer/cleaning product that kills 99.9% of the MRSA bacteria. First Call is non-toxic and appropriate for a variety of health care and congregate applications.
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a type of bacteria that causes infections on various parts of the body. It is typically associated with skin lesions that appear on people who have been exposed to the bacteria during surgery, a hospital stay, or in people with weakened immune systems from such chronic conditions as cancer or diabetes. First identified in 1961, MRSA's rising prevalence is of utmost concern in the health care industry. Because the bacteria are resistant to so many antibiotics, it can be very difficult to eradicate once a person has become infected. Some infections can be fatal.
There were an estimated 100,000 cases of MRSA during the year 2000. By the year 2005, the number of people infected with MRSA rose to 5 million and continues to climb. According to the Centers for Disease Control, MRSA is spread by close skin-to-skin contact, through cuts and abrasions in the skin, contact with contaminated items such as gym floor mats or play equipment, and sharing of personal hygiene items such as towels and razors. Infections are on the rise in hospitals, assisted living facilities and community settings such as schools, gyms, day care centers and hotels. The bacteria can live for prolonged periods of time on hard surfaces such as kitchen counters, bathroom vanities and floors, and up to 9 weeks on a cotton towel.
"The key to stopping MRSA is to kill the bacteria before an infection occurs, and First Call does that very effectively," said N. John Lombardi, Vice President of DESTAPH, Inc., the manufacturer of First Call. Three years in research and development, First Call was developed by a chemist who produced surgical scrub products for 20 years. In fact, the same active ingredient is used in both products.
First Call can be directly applied to all surfaces such as counter tops, floors, walls, metal, porcelain, stainless steel, plastic and granite. It is non-toxic, non-bleaching, and will not stain or damage fabrics. First Call does not contain alcohol, so it does not irritate the skin. There is no need to wear protective gloves when using the product – in fact; First Call contains lanolin for skin care. It also has a pleasing floral scent. First Call is EPA approved and OHSA compliant.
"There is one thing that First Call doesn't have, and that is silver," said Lombardi. Silver is used in some disinfectant products. Although it is a naturally occurring substance, silver is actually toxic and can cause permanent discoloration of the skin with prolonged contact.
Manufactured and bottled in the USA, First Call is available in a 16 oz. spray, and in one gallon and five gallon liquid concentrates. First Call can be ordered online at www.destaph.com, or by calling (877) 883-3782. Volume discounts and international shipping are available.
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