title: Smarter ways shown to banish the bugs.
abstract: Prototypes of new designs of 11 items of hospital furniture and equipment, ranging from a "21st Century" commode to an "intelligent mattress" that changes colour on becoming "compromised by body fluids", were showcased recently at the Design Council in London in the latest stage of the Department of Health and NHS PASA's "Design Bugs Out" initiative, which aims to significantly reduce infection spread by making such items easier to clean. Assuming an enthusiastic response during a national tour of selected hospitals and healthcare exhibitions, it is hoped many of the products could be on sale later this year. Jonathan Baillie reports.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baillie
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D006113:United Kingdom