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ChillBuster Blanket From Ecolab Fights Infection

Ecolab’s ChillBuster is cutting down on health-care-associated infections.

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Some 1.7 million health-care-associated infections, or HAIs, occur in U.S. hospitals each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HAIs suppress immunity, promote other infections and may cause death, the CDC reports, resulting in nearly $20 billion in annual excess health-care costs.

A leading cause of HAIs, says St. Paul-based Ecolab Inc. (ECL), is hypothermia, a common response to injury-induced shock and to general anesthesia. The company says its ChillBuster can address this problem. The lightweight, water-resistant blanket comes with disposable, infection-impervious covers and a rechargeable four-hour battery. Lying flat on the patient, it quickly heats to 105°F and delivers rapid response without burn risk to the patient or bystanders, the company adds.

Paul Chaffin, vice president and general manager for Ecolab’s North American health-care division, says Ecolab is supplying the product to the U.S. health-care market after having received FDA approval in November 2007.

“ChillBuster is just one of the innovative products we offer that helps reduce HAIs,” Chaffin says. “We also support our products with comprehensive training and education, helping maximize patient outcomes and reduce costs for health-care providers.”