Growing Use of Steriwave Across Surgery Types

Ondine Biomedical Inc. reports increasing clinical adoption of its light-activated antimicrobial therapy, Steriwave^®, across a broad range of surgical specialities in hospitals throughout the UK and Canada to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs).

Hospitals are now routinely implementing Steriwave nasal decolonisation prior to major surgeries — including cardiac, orthopaedic, neurosurgical, ENT, spinal, and cosmetic procedures — as awareness grows of its effectiveness in reducing SSIs.

SSIs remain a significant concern in surgical care, contributing to approximately 3% mortality,[[i]] extended hospital stays averaging nearly 10 additional days.[[ii]] A comprehensive study in Alberta, Canada, found that complex SSIs following hip and knee replacements can cost hospitals up to CA$95,000 per case and pose serious health risks for patients.[[iii]]

The patient’s nasal passages are a significant source of post-surgical infections, with studies indicating that up to 69% of SSIs originate from pathogens that can colonise the nose.[[iv][v]–[vi]] Leading health authorities, including the CDC, WHO, and SHEA, strongly recommend pre-operative nasal decolonisation as an effective strategy to lower the risk of infection. Steriwave offers a cutting-edge, light-activated antimicrobial therapy designed to eliminate these nasal pathogens, thereby enhancing patient safety and surgical outcomes.

Carolyn Cross, CEO of Ondine, commented:

“It’s encouraging to see Steriwave gaining recognition across such a wide range of surgical specialties. In contrast to mupirocin — the current standard for nasal decolonisation despite its limited bacterial spectrum and rising resistance — Steriwave offers a fast-acting, resistance-free alternative that is effective across nasal pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. In some hospitals, mupirocin resistance exceeds 70%, underscoring the urgent need for more versatile and reliable infection prevention tools like Steriwave.”

Steriwave is a non-invasive, painless nasal treatment that uses a proprietary photosensitive agent activated by red light to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The procedure takes five minutes, is effective immediately, and allows the normal nasal microbiome to recover quickly, without fostering antimicrobial resistance.

Steriwave is actively utilized in hospitals across Canada, including more than half of the country’s ten largest hospitals, as well as several prominent NHS Trusts in the UK. In the United States, the technology is currently undergoing a Phase 3 clinical trial in collaboration with HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest private healthcare group. This study aims to secure FDA marketing approval, further expanding Steriwave’s reach and impact.

[[i]] Umscheid CA, et al. Estimating the proportion of healthcare-associated infections that are reasonably preventable and the related mortality and costs. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 2011;32(2):101–114. (link)

[[ii]] Anderson DJ, et al. Strategies to Prevent Surgical Site Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Update. Infect. Control. Hosp. Epidemiol. 2014;35:605–627. (link)

[[iii]] Rennert-May ED, Conly J, Smith S, et al. The cost of managing complex surgical site infections following primary hip and knee arthroplasty: A population-based cohort study in Alberta, Canada. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2018;39(10):1183-1188. (link)

[[iv]] CDC. HAI Pathogens and Antimicrob Resist Report, 2018-2021. (link)

[[v]] Nature. 2012;486:207-214. (link)

[[vi]] Biomedicines. 2022 Dec 26;11(1):54. (link)