According to UK based BitePRO® Bite Resistant Clothing, the demand for bite proof clothing is growing dramatically as an increasing numbers of human bite related incidents are being published and recorded.
The case of Australia based Jessica Anderson who was bitten by one of her patients in a psychiatric hospital in Melbourne made the headlines last year, but many others have spoken up since, highlighting the immense physical pain and sometimes long-lasting psychological distress after being bitten by another human without wearing any bite proof clothing, which is a real risk for professionals in special education and mental health.
BitePRO® Bite Proof Clothing - protecting you from occupational risks
It is a well-known fact that working within the mental health facilities and special educational needs schools comes with a certain risk, but these environments would unquestionably be much safer places to work if the appropriate protection of bite proof clothing was used where the risk of biting, scratching, pinching is determined, either by behavioural tendencies or history and previous incidents.
You are probably aware that bite related injuries can become infected and contaminated with pathogens. Transmissions of potentially life-threatening viruses, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV are also a possibility. If you look at the potential and realistic consequences, you must look at all possible options to help individuals at risk of being bitten by another human, and the existence and benefits of bite proof clothing and arm guards cannot be ignored. Human bites can often lead to infection because of the amount of bacteria and viruses in a human mouth. If you have a bite that has become infected, you may need medication or surgery.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, human bite wounds cause about one-third of all hand infections. Because of the large quantity of bacteria in the human mouth, a human bite can easily lead to infection. Certain wounds may require stitches, such as those on the face, and surgery may be necessary if there’s damage to a tendon or joint. Following a human bite, the risk of bacterial infection is greater than the risk of BBV (blood-borne viruses) infection. More than 42 different species of bacteria have been isolated in the human mouth and up to 190 when gingivitis or periodontitis are present.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology states that bite injuries represent 1% of all emergency department admissions in the United States, and data released by the UK’s NHS Security Management Service reveals that mental health care professionals are far more likely to be attacked than other health care workers and frontline professionals.
For all of those reasons (including the legal and financial consequences faced by those employers who do not looking after their staff appropriately), the personal safety of mental health care professionals and special educational needs teachers is now being looked at more seriously, aiming to effectively reduce the risk of injuries and stress.
BitePRO® - the go-to brand of bite proof clothing
BitePRO® Bite Resistant Clothing is a range of bite proof clothing designed to protect care professionals working with vulnerable children and adults who have challenging behaviour. Our specialist fabric prevents teeth from breaking the skin, effectively reducing the risks of serious injury and infection associated with human bites. We have already offered hundreds of professionals in mental health care, special education, and associated services peace of mind to continue providing the best possible support to children and adults in their care.
Sherria L. Carel, Severe-Profound Educator for Bridge Creek Public Schools in Bridge Creek:
"[…] for 3 1/2 years we were getting injured at least twice a week and were looking at other placement for this student. Now, I feel confident that we can complete his education process and assist family in continuing behaviour management safely as well. As for the jackets, I am ASTOUNDINGLY impressed. On a scale from 1 to 5, this product receives a 10!!! My student grabbed the arms, tried to pull at my clothing as he has in the past and he was not and did not get any sensory feedback that he was accustomed to. In this respect, I was able to maintain my composure, my ability to protect myself and my staff as well as other students in the classroom in a manner to which I wasn't able to in my prior 3 years of having this same student. This same student on a different day, grabbed at my face and neck area, I had the jacket zipped all the way up, no scratches or injuries and when he did bite at the zipper he did not bite through the material as he has many times in the past with common scrubs or work clothes. He also did not like the feel of the material, so I think that played a role in his quick release of my attire. Not to mention I was able to remain fully clothed for the day. The bite proof clothing has also assisted in the confidence and safety of my aides who deal with some other students who are not so aggressive but can be. Your products delivered every aspect as they advertised and my team and I are safer for them. Thank you for such a great product not only are they protective but stylish as well so as to not draw attention to the students we are working with in our High School."
Over the past two or three years, our bite proof clothing brand, BitePRO®, has become the go-to brand of garments, specially designed to effectively help reduce the risk injuries caused by humans biting, scratching and pinching.
Our arm guards are available in a number of designs, styles and sizes. In order to help you chose the most suitable model we have created a simple ‘Guide to BitePRO® Arm Guards’:
David Watts, Director of Risk and Safety of Priory Group, one of the UK’s leading and most respected provider of mental health care clinics stated:
“Whilst we are in the fortunate position to only need to use BitePRO bite proof clothing and arm guards in very rare circumstances, when it has been used, we have received very favourable feedback. I am certain that the use of this equipment has helped to advert serious incidents and serious injury.”
Both privately-owned and public sector mental health care facilities, as well as educational facilities specialised in learning disabilities, special needs and autism worldwide have made contact with BitePRO® and invested in bite proof clothing, and by doing so, they have significantly reduced the number of injuries and created a safer and more positive environment for their staff, where they can focus more on caring for the service users and worry less about the risks involved.
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