The $94 Billion Problem: Application of Safe Acid Technology (SAT) to Combat Biofilm Infections

Purpose: Biofilm infections present a major public health threat. In the U.S. alone, biofilm infections are implicated in up to 550,000 yearly fatalities with an estimated annual cost of $94 billion. Biofilm infections are difficult to treat, as biofilm-secreting bacteria are highly resistant to host immune responses. We hypothesize that Safe Acid Technology (SAT), a unique acid formulation, may reduce the risk of biofilm infections while maximizing patient safety. Methods: SAT anti-biofilm testing was administered by the Montana State University Center for BioFilm Engineering using a single species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) biofilm grown in the CDC reactor according to ASTM E2871-12 on polycarbonate coupons. After establishing biofilms, the polycarbonate coupons were exposed to SAT formulations at multiple exposure times in varied concentrations. Results:Log reductions of biofilm ranged from 3.61 at concentrations of C50 to 4.82 at C25. This was compared to biofilm concentration of Log 8.62 on control coupons. Conclusion: The current recommended treatment for biofilm infection involves long-term antibiotic therapy, which may reduce bacteria in the perioperative period but has limited ability to address bacterial resistance and penetrate biofilms. Safe Acid Technology, which demonstrates potent anti-biofilm action along with non-toxicity to human mucosa, may prove a superior and cost-effective alternative to the current treatment paradigm for biofilm infections

Filming Trauma Simulations for Medical Education: A Comparison of First-Person View vs. Remotely Shot Video

With advancements in video technology, first-person view places observers in the vantage point of the camera operator. Lightweight wearable products, such as GoPro cameras, are capable of capturing high-resolution footage. In a 3-phase project, first-person view (FPV) footage was compared to remotely-shot video (RSV) of identical trauma scenarios viewed by medical students and residents at PCOM. Students responded to a trauma simulation by assessing the patient, obtaining a history and stabilizing the patient. This scenario was run once using RSV and again using FPV to capture the encounter. Both formats were screened for medical students in Phase I and Phase II and for surgery residents in Phase III. Participants in all phases responded to a survey to determine which video format was most educational. Over the three project phases, 301 medical students and 20 surgical residents viewed the trauma scenarios captured in FPV and RSV. Survey results for Phase I and Phase II demonstrated a majority of respondents preferred FPV over RSV content. Additionally, a majority of respondents thought FPV would be a useful adjunct in medical education. Phase III results also showed that most residents preferred FPV content. Residents similarly found FPV to have an educational value. Based on the feedback obtained in all three project phases, medical students and surgical residents demonstrated a preference for FPV. With this input, PCOM will expand its use of FPV in medical education