In an unprecedented act, the EPA has agreed to expedite the review of Sterifre’s registration for the AURA system. This registration would include the addition of AURA to the “N” list of disinfectants approved to treat SARS-CoV-2 under the Emerging Viral Pathogen Claims. CBS-4 Denver recently did an interview with our co-founder Dr. Mark Golkowski.
AURA will be the first EPA registered, automated, point of care device for disinfecting non-critical medical devices, other equipment and personal items. The recent APIC National Supply Survey showed critical shortages in not only PPE, but also disinfectants and disinfectant wipes. In IP Talk, some facilities have reported being completely out of disinfectants.
The efficiency of the AURA process means that a single AURA-D cartridge replaces up to 22 cannisters of disinfectant wipes. This will help ease the burden on hospital supply chains and ensure that care givers on the front line will have access to devices that have been safely disinfected for patient use. AURA contains and neutralizes the hydrogen peroxide and ozone used for disinfection, which limits nursing staff’s exposure to the hospital disinfectants that have been linked to a 25-38% increased risk of developing COPD.
In other news, NIH published a study on April 15th, 2020 evaluating dry heat, ultraviolet light, vaporized hydrogen peroxide and 70% ethanol spray as methods to decontaminate N-95 respirators. Their findings state “…that vaporized hydrogen peroxide treatment exhibits the best combination of rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and preservation of N-95 respirator integrity.” Recent FDA Emergency Use Authorizations also focus on vaporized hydrogen peroxide technology.
In anticipation of our accelerated EPA review, and due to the number of requests we have received from hospitals, Sterifre Medical will begin accepting orders for AURA on June 1st, 2020. Product shipment will take place upon EPA registration and required state approvals.
Most importantly, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the courageous infection preventionists across the country and around the world for leading us in the fight against COVID-19. We look forward to providing you with more tools to win.
Contact:
Mike Goonewardene
Chief Commercial Officer
mgoonewardene@sterifre.com