Order early for Christmas

Helapet will be closed between Christmas and the New Year. Please make sure that you order enough stock to cover for this period.

Our offices will re-open for business on 4th January 2011

Great results from our customer survey

Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete our customer service questionnaire and a delicious Christmas hamper is on it's way to Claire in Kettering who has won the prize draw.

We are proud that 86% of our customers are very satisfied with Helapet overall and 86% of you would refer us to a colleague.

Our survey highlights that we are more responsive than our competitors, ordering is easy and the quality of our products is excellent.

As a result of your replies, we will be making improvements to our customer service, with a restructure to our website to include more educational downloads and technical support.

Thank you for helping us improve our service to you

New paper free pouch for Berner Gloves

Berner remains the glove of choice for those handling cytotoxics within an aseptic environment and the new upgrade to poly packaging enables them to be used in paper free environments.

Berner gloves are CE marked and aseptically presented in a clean peel pouch printed with lot number and expiry date and the poly pouches can be liberally sprayed with alcohol for aseptic transfer.

The gloves fully comply with European PPE category III, EN374 chemical and bacteriological and EN388 mechanical standards. Full breakthrough data for a range of cytotoxics including carmustine, cisplastin and methotrexate together with other technical support information is available on request.

For more information on how to safely manage cytotoxic substances in your department, please call Helapet on 0800 0328 428, or visit our website on www.helapet.co.uk to view our full range.

Rowespike vent excellent choice for reconstitution

When a needle or spike is inserted into a vial, hazardous aerosols can be released that are both harmful to operators and can cross contaminate other products in the aseptic area or isolator cabinet.

The NEW Rowespike Vent will protect operators and avoid cross contamination and is an ideal choice for reconstituting cytotoxics.

New Rowespike Vent with metal cannula is easy to use for repeated withdrawal and aspiration of cytostatic solutions from vials, bottles and bags.

The metal cannula avoids needlestick injury and will easily pierce bungs and bags for sterile venting purposes and your syringe will conveniently secure directly to the top of the device using the luer lock.

Rowespike vent has a 0.1 micron PTFE hydrophobic bacteria filter for effective sterile venting of cytotoxic and other hazardous aerosols. The vents are ETO sterilised and supplied individually sterile wrapped in packs of 150 pieces with full lot traceability.

http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Sterile_Venting_Devices.html

Call 0800 0328 428

Helapet launch new filter devices website

We are pleased to introduce our upgraded filtration website and catalogue showcasing our range of standard and custom made filter devices.

Helapet filtration devices primarily serve the medical, printing, laboratory, gas, and air markets, providing compact and robust filters for a diverse number of applications.

Take a look on www.filterdevices.co.uk

New series 4 study day programme

We are pleased to announce our new series 4 study day programme: mAbs preparation of monoclonal antibodies, practical aspects and risk management.

The first study day will be held on 16th December 2010 at Nutfield priory in Redhill, Surrey, with guest speakers, Tim Sizer, Mark Oldcorne, Maria Connolly and Julie Simpson.

The day is aimed at pharmacists and senior technicians with more details to be found at www.helapet.net

Helapet staff raise money for Macmillan

A fun coffee morning was held at Helapet offices on 24th September to join in the world's biggest coffee morning for Macmillan.
Staff brought in delicious home made goodies and made a contribution to sample the fare. A fantastic £54.10 was raised for Macmillan cancer research.

Infection Prevention

It was great to meet so many people dedicated to infection prevention at the Infection Prevention Conference in Bournemouth this week.

Particular interest was taken with our SteriClean range of cleaning and disinfection wipes and sprays, and those who tried our new Alcorub hand gel were impressed with how pleasant the hands felt after use.

Free samples and information will be sent out to those who expressed an interest on our stand and anyone who missed out can call 0800 0328 428 for a free sachet of Alcorub gel.

Sterile alcohol wipes

SteriClean® individual alcohol wipes are impregnated with 70% v/v isopropyl alcohol , and are supplied individually wrapped and sterile in foil pouches. They are gamma irradiated to not less than 25KgY, ensuring sterility and making them an ideal choice for aseptic areas.

The hydroentangled construction of the wipes not only offers strength and absorbency, but minimises linting ensuring that they can be confidently used in clean room environments.

SteriClean alcohol impregnated wipes have been proved effective to standard EN13697:2001 including MRSA and are available in 10 x 15cm and 22 x 22cm sizes.

For more information and FREE SAMPLES please call 0800 0328 428

http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Helapet_Pharmacy_Wipes_28.html

Protect endoscopes and stop the spread of infection

Using a filter to protect endoscopes and sigmoidoscopes from contamination aids infection control and avoids cross contamination between patients.

Helapet compact filters prevent the back flow of body fluids during patient examination from contaminating expensive equipment whilst maintaining the performance of the scopes.

Helapet manufacture a 25mm diameter filter designed especially for use with endoscopes and sigmoidoscopes. By using hydrophobic glass fibre media this filter is resistant to the moisture of bodily fluids. Our sealed housing also provides a safe method of disposal for staff by preventing contact with contamination upon removal between patients.

The use of a filter to protect patents is recommended by the MHRA in a recent alert issued on the 14th July 2010 (Reference MDA/2010/060) to aid in preventing cross-contamination between patients and the spread of HCAI by changing a filter for each patient.

For more information and to order contact 0800 0328 428 quoting part number FH5073 or visit our website www.filterdevices.co.uk to find out how Helapet can provide a solution to your filtration needs.

Kathryn Miles Poster winners

Posters were presented at the APT conference and exhibition 2010 which was held in Chester.

Many congratulations to Sally Kemp and Elizabeth Fidler who were presented with 1st prize for their poster entitled: ‘Standardising Training and Accreditation within a nationally recognised framework using Pre and In process Checking (PIPC) as a model’.

2nd prize was awarded to Theresa Leach for her poster entitled ‘The impact of the implementation of a prescription tracking system on dispensary services improving and communicating prescription processing times’. Theresa is Technician Team and Dispensary Manager at Worthing and Southlands hospital.

3rd prize went to Sean Brock for his poster ‘Improving Patient Safety’. Sean is based at North Tyneside General Hospital.

More information and copies of the posters and extracts will be posted shortly on our resource website. www.helapet.net

Do your Cleanroom cleaners leave sticky residues?

A common side effect from using biocides to control microbial organisms in Cleanroom environments is the build up of sticky residues on floors and surfaces. Using Stericlean rotational cleaning regime can help you to avoid the build up of these residues.

Stericlean neutral detergent will effectively remove dirt and residual chemicals without damaging worktops and surfaces. Use Stericlean alcohol to ensure detergent residues are removed prior to applying Bio I or Bio II for effective disinfection of Cleanroom areas.

Alcohols should be used in between detergents and biocides to remove the build up of sticky residues which can make floors look dirty and cause foaming and slippery surfaces.

For more information on our SteriClean rotational cleaning and disinfection sprays and how to use them to greatest effect, please call 0800 0328 428 or visit our website www.helapet.co.uk


http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Biocidal_Products.html

Helapet disposables aid infection prevention

Helapet are committed to both contamination and infection control across the medical industry from theatre to aseptic services and laboratories.

As leading suppliers of sterile and non-sterile disposables for aseptic preparation and the handling of cytotoxics we are delighted to showcase our specialist SteriClean® range of sterile cleaning and disinfection sprays and wipes, together with our new Alcorub® hand sanitising gel specially formulated for pharmaceutical applications.

Helapet are delighted to be exhibiting at the IPS conference and exhibition in September for the first time.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit us on Stand W6 to see how we can help you with infection prevention, cytotoxic handling, medical filtration and to arrange for our SteriClean® rotational cleaning and disinfection sprays to be tried in your unit for FREE.

Bespoke packaging of disposables for aseptic use

Helapet offer the unique service of being able to provide bespoke packing options for disposable items used in aseptic pharmaceutical manufacture.

Our sterile disposables have standard pack sizes, however for units requiring customised packs for specialist pharmaceutical manufacturing, we can offer a fast turnaround for bespoke packs of gamma irradiated product.

Disposables are double packed in our class 100,000 cleanroom and sterilised by gamma irradiation at not less than 25kgy.

Bespoke packaging for large volume manufacturing can make significant cost savings for your organisation. To find out how we can help you streamline your sterile manufacturing processes, please call 0800 0328 428

New vet cyto pack for cytotoxic handling

Vet Cyto pack is newly available from Helapet and includes a comprehensive range of products for cytotoxic handling, perfectly suited for small veterinary practices and clinics where only occasional patients require chemotherapy treatments.

The new vet cyto Pack contains everything required to handle cytotoxic preparations and medications safely and efficiently, ensuring confidence that you and your staff are protected from contamination and exposure to hazardous materials whilst preparing cytotoxic preparations or administering them to animals.

Using the vet cyto pack avoids the need to purchase and store large packs of specialist protective apparel that may not be needed.

For information on the vet cyto pack visit our website:
http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Gloves_and_Apparel.html

or call 0800 0328 428 to order your pack today.

Wipes and CE marking

A number of our customers are facing confusion regarding the CE marking of the sterile wipes that they are using in aseptic preparation.

If a product is classified as a medical device as specified in the medical devices directive 93/42/EEC, then it must be CE marked.

SteriClean wipes are not classified as a medical device and therefore should not and cannot be CE marked.

With reference to the guide ‘Quality assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services’ fourth edition, P57 chapter 13, 13.2.1, sterile wipes are classified as a component and should be supplied with a documented from of approval, which in this case will be a sterility certificate.

I hope this clarifies the issue and for more information and samples of our SteriClean range of wipes please call 0800 0328 428

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/es-era/documents/publication/con057319.pdf

Are infection control challenging your cleaning products?

Some hospitals are having problems with growth of coliform bacteria in their aseptic units and isolator cabinets.

Helapet take pride in supplying quality products that are both effective and validated. The results of the SteriClean Bio + I and Bio + II against european Standard EN 1276 including Escherichia coli (E. Coli) are proven to be excellent.

Units that have moved over to using the SteriClean range of cleaning and disinfection products have seen a significant fall in levels of contamination not only after cleaning, but in general background levels.

Why not try SteriClean in your unit for FREE and see the results for yourselves, call
0800 0328 428.

Study Day date

The last in the 3rd series of free study days 'Managing the risks in the preparation of aseptic products' takes place on 17th June 2010 at Crewe Hall Hotel in Cheshire.

For more information and to book your place please call 0800 0328 428
http://www.helapet.net/

The next series starts in September with the agenda and venues still to be finalised.

SteriClean Bio I and Bio II proven consistently effective

SteriClean Bio I and Bio II have been proved extremely effective for cleaning benches and floors in Central Production Units.

Results show that over a 3 week period, the number of colony forming units produced after cleaning with SteriClean biocidal sprays was consistently reduced to zero.

In addition the number of colony forming units present before the weekly clean had been significantly reduced.

SteriClean Bio I and Bio II have now been proven to have more effective control against microbial contamination commonly found in cleanrooms than other leading brands.

Introducing Alcorub Hand Sanitiser

Helapet are delighted to announce that new Alcorub Sanitising Gel has been added to the SteriClean range of cleaning and disinfection products.

Alcorub has been specifically formulated for the aseptic Cleanroom and pharmaceutical markets. The alcohol blend controls microbial contamination commonly found in Cleanroom environments and evaporates quickly leaving no sticky residues.

Tested to BS EN 1500:1997, alcorub contains lanolin free emollients that leave hands feeling soft and nourished making sore and dry hands a thing of the past even after repeated use.

Try some samples for FREE by calling 0800 0328 428


http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Hand_Sanitising_Gel.html

Avoid fungal contamination in your isolator

The careful and time consuming cleaning and disinfecting of sharps bins and trays before taking into controlled aseptic areas and isolators is not a guarantee that those items will be free from microbial contamination. The crevices and rims of containers are difficult to clean effectively and could harbour harmful organisms.

Helapet sharps bins and trays are supplied individually wrapped and are sterilised by gamma irradiation at no less than 25kgy ensuring that the sterility of your isolator is not compromised.

For more information and FREE SAMPLES please call 0800 0328 428

http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Sterile_Sharps_Bins.html

New coloured filters

Helapet are pleased to announce production capabilities for coloured filters. The new range can be incorporated into your design together with logo and instructions.

Coloured filters are particularly suited for modern design products where colour coordination is a factor and can be used practically to show inlet and outlet sides.

www.filterdevices.co.uk

Upgrade to Home Spill Kit

We are always improving and adding value to our products and our Home Spill Kit for handling cytotoxic spills away from hospital environments has now been upgraded.

The Omega Protect nitrile gloves currently supplied in the home spill kit will be replaced with the new Bioclean Synergy gloves which have the added benefit of having excellent breakthrough data for a range of cytotoxics and offer in excess of 480 minutes for most commonly used cytotoxic preparations.

For more information please call 0800 0328 428 or follow the link

http://www.helapet.com/featured_products.htm#homespillkit

Congratulations

Congratulations to Dean, Matthew, Mark, Helen, Scott and Sylvie who have all won themselves a bottle of champagne for being the first 6 to complete a market research questionnaire for us.

Many thanks for your speedy responses and enjoy the bubbly!

TimestripPlus can help

An NPSA rapid response report that was released on 21st January states that procedures must be in place to identify if vaccines have been stored outside the manufacturers recommended temperature ranges before they are administered to patients.

TimestripPlus is a cost effective device that will not only record breaches in the cold chain but the length of time that a breach has occurred.

http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/alerts/?entryid45=66111

For more information visit www.helapet.co.uk or call 0800 0328 428 for FREE samples to trial.

TimestripPlus for TPN

New TimestripPlus™ is a cost effective method of making sure that Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) made up in pharmacy is delivered to the patient with no break in the cold chain.

There is currently no other inexpensive method of tracking the temperature of cold chain items once they have left the pharmacy or validated refrigeration unit.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a typical example of a product manufactured in aseptic pharmacy that must be kept in a validated refrigerated environment and not left at room temperature for lengthy periods of time which could result in compromising the safety of immune deficient patients.

Simply activate the TimestripPlus™ at room temperature and apply to the TPN bag using the self adhesive backing. The TPN bag should be kept below 8 deg C (refrigerated) until it is required.

For more information and FREE samples call 0800 0328 428
http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Timestrip_Plus_Cold_Chain_Management.html

SteriClean Biocidal sprays are odour free

The new range of SteriClean Bio + I and Bio + II biocidal disinfectants have not only produced nil colony counts in some units, but has the benefit of being odour free.

"They don't smell and they work" says one delighted customer after disinfecting with SteriClean rotational cleaning products.

For free samples to try in your unit please call 0800 0328 428

Autoclave Filters

Isovent autoclave filters
At the end of a steam cycle during autoclave sterilisation, air is drawn into the unit and passed over the contents for drying purposes. This air needs to be free from particulates and the Isovent 50mm HEPA filters are an excellent choice for this application.

The 1/4 inch stepped barb connectors fit most autoclave and steriliser units, but isovent autoclave filters can be supplied with either flush connectors or screw threads if required.

To order isovent autoclave filters please quote part number FH1551 or call 0800 0328 428 for more information and samples.

www.filterdevices.co.uk

Excellent customer feedback for SteriClean Biocides

First trial feedback from customers has provided excellent microbiology results so far, offering conclusive evidence that our new SteriClean Bio + I and Bio + II rotational biocides effectively manage micro-organisms commonly found in pharmaceutical cleanrooms.

To try the SteriClean range of Biocides in your unit please call 0800 0328 428

http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Biocidal_Products.html

Introducing TimestripPlus

Vaccines and some cytoxic drugs can be rendered ineffective or lose efficacy if they are stored above 8 deg C.

New TimestripPlus is the only device that can effectively record a breach in the cold chain and indicate the length of time that the breach occurred.

Simply attach a TimestripPlus™ indicator to your finished product using the self adhesive backing and have total confidence that any breach in the cold chain will be recorded showing the amount of time that a product has spent outside of the required temperature range.

For more information on effective ways to manage your cold chain and FREE SAMPLES of TimestripPlus please call 0800 0328 428

http://www.helapet.com/acatalog/Timestrip_Plus_Cold_Chain_Management.html

Latex and latex free gloves for handling cytotoxics

Having difficulty sourcing a glove for handling cytotoxics?

Berner gloves have excellent breakthrough data for a range of commonly used cytotoxic preparations.
They are tested to european standards EN374 and EN388 and are available ex-stock from Helapet in either double dipped latex or neoprene versions.

More information is available on our website or call 0800 0328 428 for FREE SAMPLES