Infection prevention company Tristel, which is based near Newmarket, has welcomed the results of a survey revealing a market-leading position for its products in part of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) sector.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nursing, was carried out by staff at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital , Gloucester and the Great Western Hospital, Swindon and involved a UK survey of current practice in the decontamination of flexible nasal endoscopes.

A total of 200 out-patient ENT departments were contacted and 121 responded, representing about one fifth of the NHS and private hospital market. Of these, 72 hospitals (60%) said they used the Tristel Wipes System and 13 (11%) used a Tristel liquid disinfectant.

Tristel said it believed the findings were representative of the entire UK hospital market.

Paul Swinney, chief executive at Tristel, said: “It has taken us a decade to establish this market leadership position in ENT. One of the great benefits of the Wipes System to a hospital is that it requires no capital investment and has no on-going maintenance cost. For a cash-strapped health system this is a tremendous advantage over the alternatives.

“As our three-part process is both unique and patented we have created a deeply entrenched position in this major clinical area.”

Snailwell-based Tristel expects to report global sales of £6million for the Tristel Wipes System in the year to June 30, including £3.8m in the UK. Other hospital departments in which the system is widely used include ultrasound and cardiology.