Home / News / USF’s Infectious Disease Dept commits to safety with advanced textiles

USF's Infectious Disease Dept commits to safety with advanced textiles

29 Dec '10

3 min read

As an innovator in infectious disease prevention and patient safety, The University of South Florida College of Medicine's Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine is instituting high-tech, fluid repellant Vestex lab coats for its physicians and advanced clinical staff. Engineered as a first line of defense against blood and other bodily fluids, Vestex will help prevent contamination of clothing in health care textiles.

“We are committed to excellence in health care and that begins with safety for our patients and our employees. As the latest advance in textile technology, Vestex will be another instrument in our quest for innovation,” said John Sinnott, MD, FACP, FISDA, associate dean and division director. “This is the next step in our mission to be an internationally outstanding academic center and resource for infectious disease identification, prevention and treatment issues.”

As the principal infectious disease organization in Florida, the division conducts research, analyzes infectious disease policies, and provides clinical care and training to health care workers both locally and throughout the world. Dr. Sinnott is a leader in his field, accredited as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Disease Society of America.

Developed by Orlando-based Vestagen Technical Textiles, Vestex uses exclusively licensed and patented technology to repel blood and bodily fluids, wick away perspiration, guard against degradation from microorganisms, and control odors. The innovative, nanotechnology-based textile helps prevent contamination of the clothing while keeping the wearer clean, cool and dry.

“Frequent exposure of health care workers to contaminants is predictable in high patient contact areas like infectious disease units,” said Ben Favret, president and CEO of Vestagen. “Vestex will help keep physicians safe from unpredictable spills or splatters that may occur and introduce a new level of protection.”

USF Health is dedicated to creating a model of health care based on understanding the full spectrum of health. It includes the University of South Florida's colleges of medicine, nursing, and public health; the schools of biomedical sciences as well as physical therapy & rehabilitation sciences; and the USF Physicians Group.

Vestagen Technical Textiles LLC is led by a skilled management team with nearly a century of combined experience in the health care textile and apparel industries.

Vestagen Technical Textiles uses advanced performance textile technologies that repel fluids, contain an antimicrobial and wick away moisture to create garments for the tasks you perform and the conditions you encounter, known as Vestex.

Vestagen Technical Textiles LLC