Focus: Infection Control

Antimicrobial copper touch surfaces may help fight antibiotic resistance

Replacing frequently-touched surfaces with antimicrobial copper equivalents — teamed with good hygiene practices —could help address both the environmental spread of contamination and the rise of antibiotic resistance


Replacing frequently-touched surfaces with antimicrobial copper equivalents — teamed with good hygiene practices — could help address both the environmental spread of contamination and the rise of antibiotic resistance, according to an article on the News-Medical Net website.

Copper is a powerful antimicrobial with rapid, broad-spectrum efficacy against bacteria and viruses, and has been shown to kill disease-causing pathogens, including influenza A, E.coli and norovirus, and resistant bacteria including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), the article said. 

"We’ve shown that antimicrobial copper touch surfaces produce a rapid kill of bacteria, viruses and fungi, usually within minutes," said Professor Professor Bill Keevil, Chair in Environmental Healthcare at the University of Southampton. 

"EPIC 3 — the national, evidence-based guidelines for preventing HCAIs in NHS Hospitals in England — recognize high-touch surfaces made from antimicrobial copper harbour 80-90 percent fewer bacteria than equivalent, non-copper surfaces. A multi-centre trial in the US further showed a concurrent 58 percent reduction in HCAIs in ICU rooms equipped with antimicrobial copper touch surfaces."

Read the article.

 

 



October 28, 2016


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Probiotic Cleaners: The Start of a Cleaning Revolution?

Advantages of probiotic cleaning include fewer resistant genes and cost savings through decreased antibiotic use.


Gun Incident Highlights Need for Security Infrastructure

A man was arrested at Aultman Memorial Hospital after allegedly firing a gun in the ER.


Creative Solutions in Healthcare Acquires 5 Skilled Nursing Facilities

Each location is planned to begin substantial upgrades to infrastructure and resident services.


Over 700 Hospitals at Risk of Closure

Hospitals are citing financial problems at the main cause of potential closure.


Astrana Health Fully Acquires Prospect Health

They completed the acquisition of Prospect Health for a total purchase price of $708 million.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.