BodyShield FAQs

Any shared surface or piece of equipment in a clinical environment is an infection risk because our bodies carry and can transfer many different bacteria and fungi (pathogens) — thankfully not all are harmful. For example, a lot of people carry on their skin or in their nose a number of different strains of Staphylococcus aureus — these bacteria can cause severe infections if they enter the body.

Research has proved that bacteria and viruses can be transmitted on to therapy beds – particularly in the face hole area. Take a look at the results of our independent clinical trial to find out how much bacteria a client can transfer on to a therapy bed after just one 10-minute massage.

Any bacteria that is airborne, spit borne or carried through skin particles may potentially be found on a therapy bed.

These include but are not limited to MRSA, chickenpox (varicella), influenza (“the flu”), COVID-19, measles (rubeola), mumps, E. coli, whooping cough (Bordetella pertussis), meningitis (Neisseria species), pneumonia (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus species) and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

In fact, from random swabbing of the internal aspect of five therapy bed face holes, used in five different clinics, results of the swabs showed:
• two beds were contaminated with strains of Staphylococcus (one of which is resistant to most antibiotics, including penicillin);
• one bed was contaminated with rhinovirus (the common cold); and
• all five beds showed non-harmful bacteria, such as skin flora, in moderate to large quantities. While non harmful, no one wants to rub cheek-to-cheek with a stranger!

According to the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare and our evidenced-based best practice guidelines, any equipment that is shared among clients should be sanitised with a disinfecting agent and then covered with a single-use physical protection barrier.
Our BodyShield is the only evidence-based, recyclable physical protection barrier that covers the entire therapy bed.

It’s great to hear that you wipe down your therapy bed daily, however, that’s just not enough. It only takes one patient or client to leave harmful bacteria behind. Take a look at the results of our independent clinical trial to find out how much bacteria a client can transfer on to a therapy bed after just one 10-minute massage.

We’re really happy to hear that you wipe down your therapy bed before each client. However, studies show that even sprays used in hospitals are not strong enough to kill off bacteria found on equipment, even when wiped regularly.

Unless a stringent cleaning protocol is followed, bacteria will remain present on the therapy bed and your clients will be at risk of cross infection.

Research has shown that in a clinical setting antibacterial agents that include 70% or more alcohol are the most effective, as they reduce the bacterial count by up to 80% — not 99.9% that we typically see advertised.

Can you be sure other therapists are doing the same? A study of Australian teaching hospitals found that only 30% of staff were following hygiene protocols when unmonitored, leaving clients more susceptible to contracting infectious diseases.

No, we don’t recommend it. Research shows that fabrics can actually harbour harmful pathogens, even after multiple hospital-grade laundering. To reduce the risk of infection from using the same BodyShield for multiple clients, a new BodyShield should be used for each client.

The BodyShield is made from 100% polypropylene, making it completely recyclable. After use and to keep used BoydShields out of landfill, they can be deposited in your local REDcycle bin — find your local drop-off point.

Alternatively, you can return used BodyShields in a Zero Waste Box™ to TerraCycle Australia.

There is research to show that reusable fabrics, such as towels, can actually harbour harmful pathogens, even after multiple hospital-grade laundering. In fact, one study shows that MRSA can last up to nine weeks on a cotton towel, even after multiple washes.

You can read all about the research we’ve carried out, which explains exactly why we recommend using our single-use, recyclable BodyShield to significantly reduce the risk of infection from a shared therapy bed.

The traditional paper roll is simply laid loosely on top of the therapy bed, it isn’t secured to the therapy bed. As a result, in most cases it will fall off the bed when the client moves or turns over, exposing the shared surface of the therapy bed.

The paper rolls are also quite noisy and uncomfortable for clients, and unrolling it to tear a new sheet can be awkward. Not only that, paper rolls that have a polyethylene backing cannot be recycled and those without the backing have limited bacterial filtering properties.

The BodyShield has the same 100% therapy bed coverage as the fitted bed covers but without the additional cost.

It has also been proved that the BodyShield is far more effective at filtering bacteria and reducing the risk of infection.

Additionally, the fitted bed cover cannot be recycled owing to the elastic around the edge.

The BodyShield is made from 100% polypropylene, making it completely recyclable.

After use and to keep used BodyShields out of landfill, they can be deposited in your local REDcycle bin — find your local drop-off point.

Alternatively, you can return used BodyShields in a Zero Waste Box™ to TerraCycle Australia.

To find out more information, visit our BodyShield page.

The BodyShield has been developed to be compatible with most therapy beds, however, the installation of the bed hooks may vary for each type of bed. Find out if your bed is compatible. If your bed is not listed, please contact us at customerservice@purifas.com with an image of your therapy bed and we will gladly assist.

Our BodyShield has been developed to suit most therapy beds, such as these. If your therapy bed does not appear in the list, please contact us at customerservice@purifas.com with an image of your therapy bed and, if your bed is suitable, we will direct you to the correct set of installation instructions.

Yes, as the BodyShield and BodyShield Dispenser work hand-in-hand. As a medical-grade hygiene product, there were a number of factors that we had to consider when developing this product (and the associated bed hooks):

1. How do therapists safely and conveniently store the product, keeping it away from potentially harmful environmental factors?

2. How do therapists safely and efficiently apply the BodyShield without contaminating the contact surface?

Although we recommend placing your hygiene products in a high and dry place, the BodyShield is completely encased by the dispenser and can be placed on the floor at the foot of the therapy bed without compromising hygiene.

Although it’s relatively simple to install the dispenser and bed hooks, we recommend you hire a licensed handyman. There are a number of websites, such as Airtasker, where you can search for a handyman in your area.

Absolutely, as long as you use the screws we’ve provided. If your bed is still covered under warranty, you should check with your manufacturer that screwing the bed hooks into your bed will not void your warranty.

Unfortunately not. By using the bed hooks without the dispenser, therapists would have to unroll and tear the BodyShield manually, i.e., using their hands. Given that a study of Australian teaching hospitals found that only 30% of staff followed hand hygiene protocols (when unmonitored), this would add unnecessary risk.