Ondine Biomedical Inc (AIM:OBI)'s Steriwave nasal photodisinfection technology has been adopted by Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) in British Columbia as a standard-of-care measure for patients undergoing orthopaedic surgeries.
Affiliated with the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, PRH conducts approximately 900 of these types of procedures a year.
"It is gratifying to be working with Interior Health and this orthopaedics team who are so committed to combatting the risk of post-surgical infections and keeping their patients safe against rising rates of antibiotic resistance," said Ondine's chief executive Carolyn Cross.
"This also demonstrates Steriwave's growing status as an effective alternative to topical antibiotics for infection prevention that easily fits into existing hospital workflows."
Adoption of Steriwave aims to significantly reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), an issue magnified by the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In Canada, one in nine hospital patients is affected by HAIs, leading to an estimated 12,000 deaths annually.
Rising rates of AMR further complicate the situation, making some commonly used antibiotics ineffective and contributing to one in 19 deaths in the country.
Financial ramifications of AMR are also noteworthy, with projections indicating that the cost to Canada's healthcare system could soar from $1.4 billion to $7.6 billion per year by 2050.
Integration of Steriwave technology by PRH represents a forward-thinking strategy to adapt hospital protocols, thereby enhancing patient safety and the overall effectiveness of surgical procedures.