Physiotherapist Ibrahim Samaan is the winner of two Gold 2021 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards and is a finalist in the 2021 Allied Health Awards for his innovative Purifas FaceShield and a commitment to hygiene health education.

The Purifas FaceShield is essentially a 3D cover for the headrest of a therapy bed, providing complete coverage of the inner face-hole to reduce bacterial transmission.

A preoccupation with cleanliness, which he credits to his upbringing, was the catalyst for this patent-pending product selling in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

“The idea for the FaceShield felt like a no-brainer when it came to me, and I actually couldn’t believe that a product like it had not already been developed.

“Growing up, I, fortunately, inherited the qualities of attention to detail, especially in relation to hygiene, from my mother.

“My mother, running a household of nine people, would separate towels for each member of the family for hygiene reasons.”

At the time, Mr Samaan admits that he didn’t understand what all the fuss was about – but it turns out Mum was onto something.

“There’s clear scientific evidence that proves bacteria remains on towels even after multiple hospital-grade washes.

“So, naturally, with this hygiene focus embedded into my character, the first thing I noticed when joining the physiotherapy workforce was the lack of hygiene practice and hygiene systems in place – this was both in public and private settings.”

Until becoming a clinic owner, Mr Samaan says there was only so much he could do to improve hygiene standards in the industry. 

“As an employee, I made the changes that were within my control – such as sanitisation three times with 30-second gaps, before and after every treatment session.

“When I opened my clinic, I was determined to make improvements to those things that were previously not in my control – such as hygiene products that were simply not fit for purpose.”

The feedback from health industry professionals been overwhelmingly positive, said Mr Samman.

“They value a hygiene product that makes their duty of care easier, and of course, brings comfort to their patients.

“They are also quite vocal in their love of the product, with over 90 per cent preferring it over the existing ‘paper’ product.”

Based on his own experience, over 50 per cent of clients are willing to pay extra for the face shield - with some even willing to change their practitioner of two years for a more hygienic product.

“Clients love it because it feels good on the skin, doesn’t move on the bed, or stick to their faces, it is providing protection, which gives them peace of mind, and it is 100 per cent recyclable.”

“The greatest feedback of all, though, is based on adoption. That decision by the therapist to do better in the way of hygiene, and swap to a premium hygiene solution.”