Marked Reduction in SSIs at Ottawa Heart Institute

University of Ottawa Heart Institute Reduces Surgical Site Infections Following Implementation of Steriwave Nasal Photodisinfection

Ondine Biomedical Inc. (AIM: OBI), a global leader in light-activated antimicrobial therapies, announces that the University of Ottawa Heart Institute ("UOHI"), Canada's largest and foremost academic health sciences centre dedicated to cardiovascular care, found notable results in patient safety following the integration of Steriwave® nasal decolonisation into its presurgical protocols.

In a clinical evaluation at UOHI, outcomes from a 24-month control period using mupirocin were compared with an 8-month pilot programme incorporating Steriwave. Consistent with results reported from other hospitals, the addition of Steriwave was associated with a statistically significant reduction in Surgical Site Infection ("SSI") rates among cardiac surgery patients. This marked decline has significantly impacted the Institute's infection rates, improving postoperative recovery and patient outcomes.

These findings have been submitted to an upcoming major international cardiac conference, and a detailed manuscript describing the study's methodology and comprehensive results is currently in development for submission to a peer-reviewed medical journal.

• Fraser Rubens, MD, MSc, FACS, FRCSC, Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa, noted:

"Achieving a marked reduction in SSIs is a monumental shift that not only saves lives but also reduces the significant strain that surgical complications place on the healthcare system. In the ongoing race against antibiotic resistance, photodisinfection therapy provides an innovative and promising strategy for enhancing patient safety."

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine Biomedical, stated:

"Surgical site infections represent one of the most costly and dangerous complications in cardiac surgery, often leading to extended hospital stays, readmissions, and increased mortality. By implementing a non-antibiotic, rapid decolonisation solution, UOHI continues to lead the way in both clinical innovation and antimicrobial stewardship. We are pleased to support UOHI's efforts to protect their cardiac patients from the rise in multidrug resistance."

Nasal decolonisation is a critical step in preventing healthcare-associated infections, as the nose is a primary reservoir for pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Unlike traditional antibiotic ointments, which can be limited by patient compliance and rising antimicrobial resistance, Steriwave uses photodynamic disinfection to rapidly eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi without the risk of generating "superbugs".

The two-step process involves applying the Steriwave formulation in the nostrils where it electrostatically binds to microbes rather than human cells. The area is then illuminated with safe red light to activate the formulation, triggering an oxidative burst that physically destroys all manner of pathogens within minutes. This rapid and overwhelming oxidative stress makes it extremely difficult for pathogens to develop resistance, and the process stops immediately once the light is turned off. Steriwave has been used in a growing number of hospitals since 2011.

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