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British medical device manufacturer, Bedfont Scientific Ltd., introduces their ToxCO carbon monoxide (CO) breath analysis monitor for quick, non-invasive and effective screening of CO poisoning.

The ToxCO CO monitor has been designed by Bedfont, based in Kent, to safely and effectively screen patients for carbon monoxide poisoning. Known as the silent killer, CO is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that is produced when fuels are burned incompletely. Everybody is exposed to CO in everyday life; from boilers, open fires, cars, generators and even burning your toast. CO poisoning is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries[1]. Prolonged exposure can lead to severe health consequences, and if exposed for too long, death. An exposure to 1200ppm of carbon monoxide can kill you within 3 minutes[2].

According to the Department of Health for England and Wales, on average per year, 4,000 people go to A&E, 200 people are hospitalised and there are around 50 deaths, all because of carbon monoxide poisoning[3]. In the United States between 1999 and 2010, a total of 5,149 deaths were from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning – an average of 430 deaths per year[4].

From the pioneers in breath analysis, the ToxCO monitor measures exhaled breath on a patient to screen for carbon monoxide poisoning, providing a quicker method than the traditional blood test. A breath sample can be taken from a patient via mouthpiece, or in instances where the patient is responsive unconscious, by face mask. By being able to mass screen patients on-site, it can rule out unnecessary hospital admissions and save valuable time, furthermore, the ToxCO has ambient monitoring which begins from switch-on, alerting emergency services to high levels of atmospheric CO at the scene of the incident, helping to safeguard them and be prepared.

With the Emergency Services Show (ESS) just around the corner, Bedfont is campaigning to #stopthesilentkiller. They are giving all emergency services personnel attending, the chance to enter into a prize draw and win a brand new ToxCO.

Jason Smith, managing director at Bedfont, explains, “The traditional method of screening for CO poisoning is a blood sample. Breath analysis with the ToxCO is non-invasive, which means less discomfort for the patient and valuable time saved as %COHb and ppm values are shown onscreen instantly compared to the lengthy process of bloodwork. The ToxCO will save time and lives.”

REFERENCES

1.     Humber, A. (2009) ‘A Feasibility study into the prehospital carbon monoxide poisoning of patients’, London Ambulance Service NHS.

2.     CO Health Risks – Detect Carbon Monoxide [Internet]. Detect Carbon Monoxide. 2017 [cited 23 August 2017]. Available from: http://www.detectcarbonmonoxide.com/co-health-risks/

3.     Carbon monoxide poisoning sends 4,000 people to A&E each year – GOV.UK [Internet]. Gov.uk. 2017 [cited 1 September 2017]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-sends-4-000-people-to-a-e-each-year

4.     Carbon Monoxide Exposures — United States, 2000–2009 [Internet]. Cdc.gov. 2017 [cited 1 September 2017]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6030a2.htm

To celebrate 10 years of improving asthma management with their NObreath® FeNO monitor, Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. are giving you the chance to win a NObreath® at the ERS Congress.

Regarded as the largest gathering of respiratory professionals worldwide, this year the European Respiratory Society (ERS) will be congregating in Milan between 9-13th September. Medical device manufacturer, Bedfont®, who launched their NObreath® FeNO monitor, for improving asthma management, at ERS 2007 are returning 10 years later to celebrate the 10th birthday of the NObreath® at the 2017 ERS Congress, by hosting a competition where one lucky winner can win their very own monitor.

Entrants simply have to take a NObreath® FeNO test and have their photo taken with their FeNO reading to be included in the prize draw. All participants will also receive a free gift and additional entries can be gained by liking and sharing their picture on social media using the hashtag #knowyourFeNO.

Using FeNO measurements to evaluate airway inflammation in asthma represents a significant advance in respiratory medicine[1], but until now it has been an expensive test to deliver in everyday practice. Recommended by NICE[2] and conformed to ERS/ATS guidelines[3], the NObreath® FeNO monitor is the essential tool for asthma.

Lois Penhaligan, Specialist Respiratory Physiologist, at the Lung Function Laboratory in Llandough, says, “It can be used with patients who have respiratory symptoms, particularly with an unexplained cough and we are looking for the possible cause. The FeNO breath test is used for an assessment of airway inflammation, for the assessment of the effectiveness of a treatment, for example, a bronchodilator and for the management of a disease, for example, asthma.”

Jason Smith, General Manager at Bedfont Scientific Ltd, explains, “Nitric Oxide is naturally produced by the lungs to combat airway inflammation, therefore FeNO levels are higher in people with asthma and, by measuring these levels during diagnosis and management of the disease, it can improve basic asthma care. By using the NObreath® FeNO monitor in basic asthma care, the GP will be able to not only determine the type of asthma (allergic or non-allergic) allowing the correct medication to be prescribed but also differentiate between asthma and other respiratory conditions. Furthermore, the NObreath® shows patient adherence to medicine allowing GP’s to adjust and prescribe the level of medication as necessary. We are proud to have spent the past 10 years perfecting FeNO monitoring to be able to provide not only an affordable technology but also a quick, easy and non-invasive procedure for both the GP and the patient, to improve asthma management.”

For more information on the NObreath®, the competition or to read the full terms and conditions, please visit www.bedfont.com/10yearsofNObreath®

REFERENCES

1. Andrew D. Smith, Jan O. Cowan, Sue Filsell, Chris MacLachlan, Gabrielle Monti-Sheehan, Pamela Jackson and D. Robin Taylor. Diagnosing Asthma: Comparisons between Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements and Conventional Tests. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 169. pp 473-478, 2004.

2. Measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration in asthma: NIOX MINO, NIOX VERO and NObreath | Guidance and guidelines | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. 2014 [cited 11 July 2017]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/dg12

3. ATS/ERS Recommendations for Standardized Procedures for the Online and Offline Measurement of Exhaled Lower Respiratory Nitric Oxide and Nasal Nitric Oxide, 2005; American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine; vol. 171: 912-930;2005

Small family business, Bedfont® exports to over 70 countries worldwide, but just how do they do it?

Established in 1976, Bedfont® is a second-generation family business that specialises in the design and manufacture of breath analysis medical devices. Despite being a small company of only 38 employees, Bedfont® is revered as a pioneer in the breath analysis market with their products now available in over 76 countries and export business accounting for over 75% of its annual turnover.

Jason Smith, managing director, explains, “Bedfont® operates through an unprecedented network of appointed distributors. We regard our distributors as an extension of the Bedfont® family and this is shown through the longevity of our working relationships. In fact, one of our oldest distributors was established in Austria in 1988 by my father, Trevor, and that relationship continues today with the distributor’s daughter.”

Andy Smith, sales manager, adds, “By working closely with our distributors we are able to work with KOLS to push legislation, have insight into the markets in regards to competition and even tailor-make versions of our products to meet the market-specific demands of each country we export to. We maintain such a close relationship with our distributors by hosting annual distributor meetings to discuss ways to market products, any barriers that may exist and how to overcome them. Our latest distributor meeting took place in Japan this year and was hosted by one of our top distributors Harada Corporation.”

Yonemura Yusuke, general manager at Harada Corporation, comments, “It was a great honour to host the Bedfont® Far East Distributor Meeting in Japan. We really appreciate Bedfont® giving us the opportunity to meet other distributors and share experiences we have all had in each country. It was a great opportunity to teach, learn and make new connections.”

Second-generation family company, wins 4 business awards including 2 at the KEiBAs

The Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) is an annual awards ceremony organised by Kent County Council and KM Media Group. Now in its 9th year, the awards were established to recognise and reward excellence and achievements by companies across Kent. Medical device manufacturer, Bedfont®, has been entering the KEiBA awards since 2011, having previously won the accolade for Science Business of the year and SME Business of the year categories as well as being a finalist in Technology Business of the year and Success in International Markets categories. Bedfont®, regarded as a pioneer in breath analysis, is pleased to announce a double win on Thursday 22nd June at the KEiBAs, collecting two awards for Exporter of the Year and Medium Business of the Year.

Additionally this year, Bedfont® won Exporter of the Year at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Awards and Small Business of the Year at the Maidstone Business Awards, bringing their total to 4 business awards in the first half of 2017.

Jason Smith, managing director, comments, “We are truly honoured to have won 4 business awards so far this year; they are great recognition for us and our customers. Despite being a small family company we export to over 76 countries worldwide, so to win 2 awards for Exporter of the Year is truly inspiring and it really resonates with our extended family, our distributors. Winning 2 KEiBAs in one night was really a remarkable experience and personally, Medium Business of the Year was a great achievement seeing Bedfont® take strides into the future as we continue to grow, innovate and improve health, worldwide.”

Second-generation family company, wins Small Business of the Year at the Maidstone Business Awards

Formed as a partnership between Equilibrium PR and Best Business Events, the Maidstone Business Awards debuted this year, giving businesses across Maidstone the chance to be recognised for their strengths and strides in the following categories: Start-up, Small Business, Creative/Digital, Customer Service, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Hospitality.

Bedfont®, who is a second-generation family company that has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath analysis medical devices for over 40 years, is pleased to announce it has been awarded Small Business of the Year.

Jason Smith, managing director, comments, “The Bedfont® family are humbled to have won Small Business of the year at the Maidstone Business Awards. It is really an achievement, to know that the hard work, dedication and passion of our company is witnessed by others. Earlier this year, we had a rebrand and our new slogan, “Our family, innovating health, for yours” is Bedfont in a nutshell; we are the Bedfont® family, every employee makes us the company we are today; each individual member plays a crucial role in the business and so I would like to thank them all. We take great pride in what we do and will continue to innovate and improve health, worldwide.”

Jason receives the Small Business of the Year 2017 award from his Worship the Mayor of Maidstone

Maidstone Business Awards 2017 winner’s logo

Second-generation family business, Bedfont®, has made it through to the final round of the Maidstone Business Awards 2017

Formed as a partnership between Equilibrium PR and Best Business Events, the Maidstone Business Awards is debuting this year, giving businesses across Maidstone the opportunity to shout about their achievements with the shortlisted finalists attending an Awards Ceremony on 14th June. The awards available give Maidstone businesses the chance to be recognised for their strengths and strides in the following categories: Start-up, Small Business, Creative/Digital, Customer Service, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Hospitality.

Bedfont®, who is a second-generation family company that has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath analysis medical devices for over 40 years, is pleased to announce it has been shortlisted as a finalist for Small Business of the Year.

Jason Smith, managing director, commented, “There are many reasons why we entered the Small Business of the Year category for the Maidstone Business Awards. It is a great accolade that will give our existing and future customers confidence in us because we have achieved so much; despite there only being 38 employees, we have over 10 very niche medical products, each of which we export to over 70 countries worldwide. But moreover, it will be an honour for our passionate and dedicated employees; they make the Bedfont® family and are the reason we are where we are today, innovating health, one breath at a time. We look forward to attending the Awards Ceremony on the 14th June and would like to wish all 26 finalists good luck.”

Marcus Chrysostomou, owner of Equilibrium PR and the co-founder of the Maidstone Business Award, said, “We are really pleased that Bedfont® Scientific entered the first ever Maidstone Business Awards. Our independent judges have shortlisted 5 companies, including Bedfont®, for the Small Business award. We wish them and the other businesses the best of luck.”

Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. who have produced the Smokerlyzer® to help people quit smoking, gives smoking cessation clinics worldwide the chance to win a new Smokerlyzer® for World No Tobacco Day

Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), World No Tobacco Day falls annually on 31st May and 2017 marks its 30th anniversary. A day dedicated to tobacco abstinence as well as the awareness of the negative side effects of tobacco use and smoking, Bedfont®, who manufacture the Smokerlyzer® used to help people quit smoking are hosting a competition. The second generation family company, who export their products globally, are encouraging stop smoking services across the world to share their Smokerlyzer® photos on social media for the chance to win a brand new Smokerlyzer® CO monitor for their practice. All they need to do is tag Bedfont® in their photos (@Bedfontltd) on Facebook, Twitter Instagram, using the hashtags #Smokeryzer #Worldnotobaccoday #knowyourCO.

The Smokerlyzer® is a carbon monoxide (CO) monitor that measures the harmful amount of CO that is inhaled from smoking, which can show how much a patient has been smoking, giving smoking cessation advisors an idea on the level of dependency that the smoker has. The Smokerlyzer® is quick, non-invasive and also acts as a motivational visual aid to encourage the user to quit smoking and to measure their progress whilst doing so.

Last year in 2016, the Smokerlyzer® also celebrated 30 years of helping people quit smoking and saving lives in over 70 countries. A recent study by Grant et al. (2015) looked at CO testing within Stop Smoking Services (SSS). In their findings, one client highlighted that CO monitoring was one of the most useful elements of the SSS he received, “one of the most useful things I found about it was the CO readings every week…you know, you can’t fool a machine, so it’s difficult to fool yourself then”1.

Jason Smith, managing director at Bedfont Scientific, says, “The Smokerlyzer® is world renown; it has been demonstrated by the likes of Princess Diana, Sir Alex Ferguson and it has contributed to several clinical papers and has saved countless lives in the past 30 years. By running the competition it will hopefully help boost awareness of World No Tobacco day, encouraging people to quit smoking, but also give stop smoking clinics across the world a chance to win another Smokerlyzer® for their practice.”

For full terms and conditions please visit https://www.bedfont.com/World%20No%20Tobacco%20Day

Second generation family business, Bedfont®, named as one of the top 25 companies in Kent set to change the way we live and do business

Based in Harrietsham, Bedfont® is a small family business who has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath and gas analysis monitors for medical application for over 40 years. The Future List, created by the KM Group, asked a team of judges to name the top 25 Kent companies who are set to change the way we live and do business; among the top influencers was Bedfont®, and here’s exactly why:

·       The iCO™ Smokerlyzer®

The Smokerlyzer® range is a range of breath carbon monoxide (CO) monitors used in stop smoking clinics to help people quit smoking. The technology celebrated its 30th birthday on 2016 but through constant innovation, Bedfont® has managed to keep on top of competition and its latest in the range, the iCO™, is set to make waves. The iCO™ Smokerlyzer® is the world’s first Smokerlyzer® CO monitor for your smartphone, allowing people to quit smoking and track their progress anytime, anywhere. With a free downloadable app, users can still have the familiar motivational traffic light system whilst also be able to send their progress to friends, family and their smoking advisor.

·       The GastroCH4ECK®

The GastroCH4ECK® uses breath analysis to help detect gastrointestinal disorders such as lactose intolerance, IBS and SIBO. The GastroCH4ECK® works by measuring the levels of hydrogen and methane on a person’s breath that is a result of the gut breaking down food, offering professionals and patients alike a quick, easy and completely non-invasive way to investigate gut function; especially compared to more conventional methods which require a blood or stool sample and can take up to 2 weeks.

·       The NObreath®

Recommended by NICE, the NObreath® FeNO monitor is used to help improve asthma management, one breath at a time. Using FeNO measurements to evaluate airway inflammation in asthma represents a significant advance in respiratory medicine, but until now it has been an expensive test to deliver in every day practice. Measuring FeNO can help determine the type of asthma (allergic or non-allergic) Measuring FeNO can help determine the type of asthma (allergic or non-allergic) and help differentiate between asthma and other respiratory conditions. It can also help to determine the level of medication a patient needs. With recent heightened concerns over the number of people being misdiagnosed with asthma, Bedfont® has been working with NICE and local GP’s to help implement FeNO monitoring into general asthma care.

Jason Smith, managing director, comments, “We are honoured to have been named as one of the top 25 on the Future List. Bedfont® takes great pride in saving peoples’ lives; it something we have done for over 40 years now and something we will continue to do by constantly innovating health.”

Second generation family business, Bedfont® goes through to the final round of the KEiBA for 2 categories

The Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) is an annual awards ceremony organised by Kent County Council and KM Media Group. Now in its 9th year, the awards were established to recognise and reward excellence and achievements by companies across Kent. Out of 16 categories, this year saw 312 entries for KEiBA. Based in Harrietsham, Kent, Bedfont® has specialised in the design and manufacture of breath and gas analysis monitors for medical application for over 40 years. As the finalists were announced at KENT Vision Live yesterday, Bedfont® was pleased to be named as a finalist in 2 of the categories it applied for; Medium Business of the Year and Exporter of the Year.

Jason Smith, managing director, comments,

“With Kent being rich in companies who are paving the way into the future, and with there being more KEiBA entries this year than ever before, Bedfont® is humbled to have been chosen as finalists for Medium Business of the Year and Exporter of the Year. We look forward to the gala dinner in June to see who will win – good luck to all finalists in all 16 categories”.

Second generation family business, Bedfont®, shows it has family values at its core with their progressive kids club for employees

Bedfont®, based in Harrietsham, is a small family-run business that specialises in the design and manufacture of breath and gas analysis monitors for medical application. For 3 years now, Bedfont® has provided employees with a ‘kids club’ that has been helping their staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance; a factor which makes the small company of 39 a very progressive and desirable company to work for.

Bedfont’s latest statistics show that 73% of the workforce consists of members aged 35 and under, meaning a high majority of staff are parents with young children.

Jason Smith, managing director, says, “On a few occasions half the business needed time off to look after their children during the holidays, meaning holiday was being used solely to take care of children instead of being used for other leisure. This meant that at times business would be an operational nightmare but so would people’s work life-balance; parents had to alternate weeks off from work and therefore the time allocated for them to spend together as a family is seriously diminished, additionally the added pressure of trying to balance work duties whilst trying to find the time to look after your children during the holidays is something I know all too well as a parent of 2 myself. We decided to allocate an annual budget for the kids club, whereby staff can bring their children to work for one week in each of the school holidays and then Bedfont® funds the requisite number of professional DBS checked nannies required. To start, my own home was used as their operating base but now we have part of the Bedfont® premises converted for these weeks, however they actually spend much of their time in the locality at various low-cost attractions such as Leeds Castle, Kent Life, Adventure Kids, Whitstable and much more.”

Claire Dadswell adds, “All the children are cared for by DBS checked nannies with myself in charge; I am NNEB trained with paediatric first aid and have over 23 years of experience as a nanny. We try and do one trip out alongside lots of arts and crafts which all the children love. The youngest child is 1.5 years old and the eldest is 12, so we find activities that are fun, educative and suit all ages. We also provide all children with healthy snacks and lunches, plus we are lucky enough to have a gymnastics coach on our team who will occasionally teach a session with kids to keep them active.”