Rosica :: Online+Traditional Public Relations & Marketing

X-STATIC^®, the silver-based fiber technology used widely by US Military Forces, Olympic Athletes, NASA astronauts and hundreds of well-known consumer brands, is now available to the healthcare textile industry.  Soft surfaces constitute 90 percent of the patient healthcare environment and include privacy curtains, lab coats, scrubs, bed linens and cubicle curtains. Clinical studies have proven these surfaces are highly contaminated by pathogenic organisms, which have the potential to transmit to patients and cause healthcare associated infections (HAIs).

Healthcare associated infections take the lives of nearly 100,000 people annually and cost billions of dollars in additional medical treatments. Although hospitals continue efforts to improve infection control, standardized practices for soft surface bacterial management are inadequate compared with those for hand and environmental hygiene. Further, laundering practices are inconsistent and simply ineffective, as re-contamination occurs after laundered items are put into use.2

Textiles made with X-STATIC® silver antimicrobial technology have been clinically-proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria directly on the surface of the fabric. X-STATIC delivers quick, comprehensive and permanent protection with a continuous release of silver ions that lasts for the life of the product.

“Soft surfaces represent a clear gap in everyday infection prevention practice,” said Peg Luebbert, Infection Control Expert and Founder of Healthcare Interventions, Inc. “Hand washing/sanitization is only effective until a healthcare worker touches a contaminated soft surface through regular behaviors like opening a privacy curtain or retrieving a pen from a pocket. For example, if a healthcare worker washes his/her hands and then puts those hands in a contaminated uniform pocket before touching a patient, the risk of cross contamination still exists.”

Products made with X-STATIC antimicrobial technology also mitigate compliance challenges because the healthcare staff is not required to change behavior or protocols. Luebbert adds, “Antimicrobial textiles are "engineering controls" in OSHA terms. They minimize the risk of contamination and exposure without depending upon safe work practices by the healthcare staff.”  

For more information visit www.InfectionPreventionTextiles.com  or “like” X-STATIC ® on Facebook. X-STATIC^® is a registered trademark of Noble Fiber Technologies, LLC. Noble Biomaterials, Inc. is a global leader in bacterial management solutions. The company develops, manufactures, sells and markets advanced antimicrobial technologies designed to manage all forms of bacterial contamination. Noble is a strategic partner of APIC and works closely with the infection prevention community toward the common goal of reducing healthcare associated infections. It has more than 200 global licensees for products in the medical, defense, industrial and consumer markets and the company’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Scranton, PA, with global offices in Europe, Asia and South America.  

A new survey from Harris Interactive shows that while the vast majority of Americans think it is important to know their temperature or that of a sick family member, very few respondents – less than ten percent – know what type of thermometer gives the most accurate reading. 

A full 93 percent of respondents say knowing their own temperature or someone’s who is sick is either extremely important (66 percent) or somewhat important (27 percent).  However, the majority (65 percent) say they use an oral thermometer, while only 32 percent believe it to be the most accurate. 

Mary Pappas, the New York school nurse credited with first alerting officials about the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, says people need to be educated when it comes to selecting the right thermometer.  “The most important consideration when choosing a thermometer is accuracy, but not all thermometers are created equal.”  Pappas continues, “There have been many advances in the types of thermometers available, and the one I find the most reliable and convenient is the temporal artery thermometer.” 

According to 44 peer-reviewed studies, the temporal artery thermometer has proven to be at least as accurate as all other thermometry methods commonly used in hospitals (excluding rectal, which is the standard for taking newborns’ temperatures).  However, only nine percent of all adults surveyed, and 13% of working mothers, know that temporal artery thermometers provide the most accurate temperature reading.

Pappas, who takes thousands of student temperatures every year, says the Exergen TemporalScanner is particularly useful during cold and flu season because it gives you an accurate temperature reading in just two seconds with a simple swipe of the forehead. Because it is non-invasive, a parent can even take a sleeping child’s temperature without waking him or her.

Other notable survey findings include:

·         Women are more prepared to take temperatures than men:  of the six percent of respondents who do not have a thermometer, 63 percent are male and 37 percent are female.

·         Ten percent of respondents do not know what type of thermometer they have or do not have a thermometer. 

·         Men are less inclined to use temporal artery thermometers than women: of the nine percent of respondents who were aware of the most accurate type of thermometer, 53 percent were female and 47 percent were male.

 Exergen Corporation is recognized worldwide as an innovator and leading manufacturer of patented infrared thermometers, scanners, sensors and controls. The company holds more than 60 U.S. patents for non-invasive temperature measurement devices. Its products are used in a wide variety of industrial and medical applications for both professionals and consumers. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.

 Survey Methodology This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Exergen by telephone within the United States between October 26 – 30, 2011 among a nationwide cross section of 1,007 adults (aged 18 and over). For a full methodology, please contact Jill Gress of Harris Interactive at 585.214.7138.

Bartender Who Best Combines Cocktail Creativity and Storytelling Talent Wins Trip to Scotland to Compete in Global Finals

Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin knows that a drink is only as good as the person who makes it and is on a worldwide search to find the bartender who does just that. Beginning February 13, 2012 Caorunn invites bartenders in the United States to create a Caorunn-inspired cocktail and tell the story behind it. Four finalists will be selected to compete at the U.S. finals for an all-expense paid trip to Scotland, where they will represent the United States in the Caorunn Global Cocktail Competition.

The super-premium gin teamed up with Bar Business Magazine, challenging bartenders to create a “modern classic” cocktail that draws inspiration from one or more of Caorunn’s five Celtic botanicals: Rowan Berry, Coul Blush Apple, Heather, Dandelion and Bog Myrtle.  To reinforce the role a genuine bartender plays - as friend, entertainer, historian and talented raconteur - entrants will be asked to tell the “story” behind their cocktail’s creation via a video submission. 

“The Caorunn Storytellers competition underscores the bartender's key role in a person's drinking experience," said Pat Graney, President of International Beverage USA. 

Four U.S. finalists will compete at Tales of the Cocktail 2012 held in New Orleans, July 25-29 where a panel of spirits experts and writers will determine the Top U.S. Storyteller. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Scotland’s Speyside region featuring an exclusive tour of the Balmenach Distillery with Caorunn Gin Master, Simon Buley.  

They will also join the finalists from four other countries to compete in The Global Final taking place at Bramble Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland on September 3, 2012. The 2012 Global Cocktail winners will receive a cash prize and their winning drinks will be promoted worldwide as signature Caorunn cocktails.  Contest begins February 13, 2012 and entries will be accepted until May 20, 2012. Bartenders will be judged on concept, story, presentation and product knowledge, while cocktails will be critiqued on taste, nose, balance and garnish. Please see www.caorunngin.com/storytellersusa to enter and for official contest rules.  

About Caorunn

Caorunn (pronounced “ka-roon), is a handcrafted, small batch distilled Scottish gin infused with five Celtic botanicals designed to work perfectly in martinis and cocktails but is also smooth enough to enjoy on its own. The gin is named for one of the botanicals, the fabled rowan berry, which has inspired Celtic medicines and recipes for generations. Caorunn is naturally balanced, dry, clean and crisp and best served with a slice of red apple.  It is handcrafted in small batches, usually 1,000 liters, at Balmenach Distillery in Scotland’s Spey Valley. It is marketed by International Beverage. Find Caorunn on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/caorunngin.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Exergen ® Corporation announces the Love Bug Temperature Challenge, an instant win game and grand prize sweepstakes worth $105,000.  The contest is open to all U.S. residents with a valid email address and will be promoted on hundreds of radio station websites and extensive e-media outlets. Starting January 23, contestants can register at www.EXERGEN.COM and hundreds of radio station websites, to play the Love Bug Temperature Challenge every day for a chance to win one of 100 Exergen TemporalScanner thermometers. 

One lucky entrant will be randomly selected as the grand prize finalist on Valentine’s Day to win a $1,000 Tiffany & Co. gift card.  Additionally, the finalist will be challenged to submit “His and Her” predictions for the Academy Award winners on Sunday, February 26.  If either predicts the winners correctly, the finalist wins the grand prize of ‘His and Her’ cars (valued at $50,000 each) and a trip to Hawaii (valued at $5,000). 

“With Valentine’s Day around the corner and the cold and flu season in full swing, the Love Bug Temperature Challenge is a fun interactive way to engage parents and parents-to-be in a contest with a chance to win great prizes.  We want to offer couples the Exergen TemporalScanner to help fight cold and flu, and a chance for great Valentine’s Day gifts for both, including shopping at Tiffany & Co., a romantic getaway to Hawaii, and his-and-her automobiles,” said Exergen Corporation founder and CEO Dr. Francesco Pompei. 

Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a professional version for doctors’ offices and hospitals, and a consumer model sold in major retailers including Walmart, Target, Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, Kroger, Costco, Sam’s Club, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, and BJ’s. More than 800 million temperatures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner. Used in thousands of hospitals and pediatricians’ offices in the country as well as in millions of homes, it is also the only thermometer manufactured in the United States.  

The Exergen Corporation is recognized worldwide as an innovator and leading manufacturer of patented infrared thermometers, scanners, sensors and controls. The company holds more than 60 U.S. patents for non-invasive temperature measurement devices. Its products are used in a wide variety of industrial and medical applications for both professionals and consumers. For additional information, visit www.exergen.com.

To help people discover where their true political alliances fall ahead of the 2012 presidential election, Beliefnet, the most comprehensive online resource for inspiration and spirituality, has launched their new Politic-O-Matic quiz.  This quick and easy online evaluation takes the user’s “temperature” on issues like the economy, religion, marriage and healthcare to match users with a corresponding political party and famous political personality.

The series of questions reflect current issues in the political sphere, such as an individual’s stance on marriage and the extent to which this issue affects him or her. Once completed, Politic-O-Matic links to the political party most closely affiliated with a user’s attitudes. A notable political personality is also assigned at the end, examples range from a “Ronald Reagan conservative” to a “Ross Perot populist.”

“We created Politic-O-Matic to give people an entertaining way to identify core political values and beliefs without political hyperbole, skewed portrayal or bias,” said Beliefnet President and CEO Stephen Hal liday. “This quiz helps users evaluate what parties they align with based on objective self-assessment of the principles that matter most to them.”

Politic-O-Matic’s purpose is to serve as a guide, matching user feelings and political beliefs with those of previously established political leaders. The quiz does not match users with current candidates for the presidential election. In addition to the assessment provided on Beliefnet.com, users are provided email results which list to what degree (in percentages) they are most like the 10+ personalities provided in the quiz.   

Readers can take Politic-O-Matic beyond the 2012 election season by visiting http://www.beliefnet.com/News/ElectionCenter/PoliticOMatic.aspx.

About Beliefnet

Beliefnet, a property of BN Media, LLC and a recipient of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online, is the most comprehensive multi-faith online resource for inspiration and spirituality, and helps people improve their lives, solve problems and find comfort, hope and strength. Its mission is to help people find and walk a spiritual path that instills comfort, hope, strength and happiness for people who are exploring their own faith or curious about others. Whether spirituality, health and wellness or wholesome family entertainment, Beliefnet has something for everyone. 

About BN Media

Through its three operating companies – Beliefnet, Affinity4 and Cross Bridge – BN Media is the definitive online resource for information related to inspiration and spirituality.  BN Media provides award-winning inspirational editorial and video content through mainstream and faith-based channels. The company’s mission is to inspire positive thought and action.