Clinical research shows bug-busting properties of copper in intensive care wards

Published: 15-Dec-2011
Manufacturing Ingredients Regulatory Infection Control Microbiology Estates & Facilities

Fresh evidence on the impact of copper


Early results from a multi-site clinical trial in America appear to show the use of antimicrobial copper surfaces in intensive care units (ICUs) leads to at least a 40% reduction in the risk of acquiring a healthcare associated infection.

Funded by the US Department of Defense, the study is currently being written up, but is expected to confirm the findings of other research into the positive impact of copper and copper alloys on the spread of bugs such as MRSA and C.difficile.

Dr Michael Schmidt, professor and vice chairman of microbiology and immunology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US, said: “Bacteria present on ICU room surfaces is probably responsible for 35-80% of patient infections, demonstrating how critical it is to keep hospitals clean. The copper objects used in the clinical trial supplemented cleaning protocols, lowered microbial levels, and resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the number of infections contracted by patients treated in those rooms.”

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