Many of you are aware of the recent national news stories to schools and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a form of "staph" bacterium that has developed resistance to several forms of antibiotics. MRSA has been around for many years, mostly in health care settings but has moved into the community in recent years. Infections can be seen anywhere but are often found in settings where people have close contact, such as schools, military barracks, dormitories, correctional facilities, and daycare settings.

In response to this issue, JCS has been proactive in partnering with H.E.L.P. Technology Services™ offering the Healthier Environment Living Program, to ensure that our facilities continue to provide a clean, safe learning environment for your children. H.E.L.P. Technology Services™ had our building treated and cleaned with H.E.L.P. Technology. According to the company, H.E.L.P. Technology® is a powerful non-poisonous, non-chemical surface protectant that provides a long term, invisible, microbiostatic shield that inhibits the growth of a wide variety of bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, including MRSA.

For the past two years our athletic training center has been treated with this product. Prior to its application, our wrestlers experienced multiple skin infections as is common in a high contact sport such as wrestling. Since the application of H.E.L.P. Technology, we have seen a drastic reduction in these types of skin infections.

I knew that you would be interested in learning about our efforts to respond to this important issue.

As you might have heard or read, there has been news about Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We, at Monsignor Pace High School, are fortunate that there have been no cases reported or detected. We are committed to providing a safe environment and to be diligent and pro-active in protecting our students, faculty, and staff. With this in mind, we have retained the services of a company called Healthier Environment Living Program, who are specialists in antimicrobial protection. They have visited, performed their inspection and testing, made their recommended solutions, and applied their treatment by a trained certified applicator. This treatment is done periodically throughout the year.

...Healthier Environment Living Program specializes in homes as well as businesses. If you have concerns about your home environment, please feel free to avail yourself of their services.

The building industry has always faced issues with mold. In recent years this issue has been escalated with all the media publicity and litigation that has ensued.

As a general contractor, our goal is to curtail the presence and spread of mold in our homes. We typically build on crawl spaces which naturally create an environment for mold growth. It is inevitable that our homes will receive a soaking or two, compliments of Mother Nature.

To combat the growth of mold, we have been applying H.E.L.P. Technology to the underside of our flooring system. If we have any areas where mold has formed prior to the application of H.E.L.P. Technology, we use the Indusco Mold/Mildew Cleaner. We then apply H.E.L.P. Technology. To date, this process has worked successfully and we do not see mold re-growth.

We have been very pleased with this product.

The addition of H.E.L.P. Technology has provided Alamance Regional Medical Center with a level of protection that has previously been unheard of in healthcare. Our new Special Care Needs Nursery, along with all nursery equipment, has been completely treated with H.E.L.P. Technology prior to the arrival of our first newborn. All our patient rooms, in addition to our Cancer Center, Critical Care Unit, and other specialty service areas, have also been treated with H.E.L.P. Technology. Surveillance throughout the hospital, three months after application, has proven H.E.L.P. Technology's effectiveness with a consistent reduction organisms on all treated surfaces. By reducing the organisms patients come in contact with, we have created a healthier and safer environment.

I was introduced to your product H.E.L.P. Technology 3 months ago. From the beginning I was impressed and that doesn't happen easily. After seeing the demonstration, it was easy to grasp the potential for improved health benefits for our residents and staff with the use of your product. I have been in the long term care industry for almost 15 years now and infection control is a major responsibility. There are so many companies that claim to have a unique product, which in reality is just another disinfectant. H.E.L.P. Technology is truly one of a kind, because it inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, viruses, bacteria, etc. It is truly a protectant.

High tough areas, such as: doorknobs, handrails, telephones & call bell cords, were concentrated on first. We have since treated soiled linen hampers, mattresses, pillows, wheelchairs, shower chairs & shower curtains. With the help of our Maintenance Dept., every cover and filter for our through-the-wall heating/AC units were cleaned and then treated with H.E.L.P. Technology. We were amazed with the results from re-testing areas that were treated 3 months before. We feel that the results are quite impressive:

I am also happy to report that our number of infections has decreased. The total dropped from 40 in November, to 29 in December. Also, as of this date, we have not had any of our residents come down with the flu! H.E.L.P. Technology has taken our infection control program to a higher level.

It is becoming evident that disinfecting may not be enough. H.E.L.P. Technology gives you the edge when it comes to a healthier environment to live and work in. I highly recommend it to everyone.