Reflecting on IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) Birmingham 2025
Last week, our team attended the Infection Prevention and Control Conference in Birmingham as proud exhibitors, joining infection prevention and control professionals from across the UK for a day filled with insight, innovation, and valuable conversations.
Showcasing Solutions for Environmental Monitoring and MRSA Screening
At our stand, we highlighted tools designed to support both proactive environmental monitoring and efficient patient screening. These included our POLYWIPE™ Easy Open Bag, STERISWAB™, and NRS™—all ideal for verifying the effectiveness of cleaning protocols in healthcare settings, food production, and beyond.
We also featured SIGMA TRANSWAB® for MRSA screening, which is used by clinicians for routine specimen collection, and our self-collection format, U-SWAB™ MRSA, designed to make specimen collection easier, faster, and more comfortable for patients.
Conversations That Sparked Ideas
Throughout the event, we spoke with a wide range of professionals, including IPC Leads, hospital-based infection control teams, and many community nurses. One recurring theme was how visual checks are still the norm for cleaning verification, with microbiological testing often only triggered after an outbreak. There was a clear interest in more preventative, routine monitoring – and that’s exactly where our solutions can support.
Unlike systems that simply give a bacteria count, POLYWIPE™ allows users to know exactly what pathogens are present after incubation, helping teams take action before problems escalate. A convenient method for effective and accurate microbiological surveillance.
Supporting Patient-Centred Care with Self-Collection
We were particularly encouraged by the response to our U-SWAB™ MRSA self-collection system. Many IPC and community nurses commented that this solution could significantly reduce the need for patients to travel for pre-op screening – especially important for those in remote areas or with mobility issues. They also noted it could offer a more dignified and comfortable experience, while easing the pressure on stretched clinical teams.
Looking Ahead
IPC Birmingham confirmed just how crucial it is to keep pushing forward – both in environmental infection prevention and in making screening more accessible and patient-friendly. We’re proud to be part of that movement and grateful for everyone who took the time to stop by our stand.
If you’d like to know more about how our products can support your infection prevention strategy – whether in a hospital, care home, or out in the community – please get in touch.
