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Reopening: 9.00 am on Monday 6 January 2025.
We wish you all a merry and safe Christmas and New Year.
When selecting the fabric of the BodyShield during our research and development phase, three uncompromising factors were required — hygiene, comfort and sustainability.
On 20 October 2021, as part of the process to ensure our BodyShield effectively fulfilled our hygiene requirements, we used a reputable, independent, international laboratory to test its bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) — the fabric’s resistance to penetration of bacteria.
It was tested according to the international standard test method ASTM F2101, where a liquid suspension of Staphylococcus aureus is aerosolised and delivered to the filtration media at a constant flow rate of 28.3 litres per minute (LPM) or 1 cubic foot per minute (CFM). This test was developed for standardising the effectiveness of disposable surgical masks. As an average adult will expel 28.3 litres of air per minute, it aims to mimic the pressures that a surgical mask would undergo in a real-world application.
The result was that the BodyShield could filter 81% of bacteria. It is also important to note that our patented BodyShield has the ability to provide this bacterial filtration in both directions — from the client to the therapy bed and vice versa.
To help give some perspective on this result we also tested an unbranded, single-use fitted bed cover (non-recyclable due to the elastic) according to this same standard (purchased for AUD $1.70 per cover). The test result for this unbranded cover was an astonishing 21%.
Under normal use conditions, we suspect that the BodyShield would undergo less pressures and, in turn, a further-improved BFE than those endured under the international standard test conditions. So, to confirm our hypothesis, we further tested the hygiene effectiveness of our BodyShield in an independent clinical trial.
Ensuring top-notch hygiene in therapy and allied health settings is vital for client safety. Shared equipment can easily lead to cross-contamination without strict hygiene protocols. Towels, frequently used in these environments, can harbour bacteria even after washing, posing risks to both clients and therapists. This guide will help you understand these risks, avoid common mistakes and implement the best hygiene practices, all while being environmentally conscious.