Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
In Chap. 6 , Christophe Esp ยด rito Santo, Nadezhda German, Jutta Elguindi, Gregor
Grass, and Christopher Rensing, discuss why on the one hand copper is an essential
element to microorganisms and how copper homeostasis is achieved, and on the
other hand how copper exerts its potent biocidal properties, with special focus on
the molecular mechanisms underlying bactericidal properties of solid copper
surfaces.
In Chap. 7 , Jon Otter reviews potential and existent biocidal surface alternatives
to copper. He discusses what should be the ideal biocidal surface candidate and
discusses the pros and cons of each of the existent candidate alternatives, the
optimal deployment modes, the surfaces that should be made self-disinfecting
surfaces, and how do we test and compare efficacy of antimicrobial surfaces.
In Chap. 8 , Panos A. Efstathiou evaluates the impact of using biocidal surfaces
in a hospital environment, specifically discussing the use of metallic copper sur-
faces in the intensive care units, reaching the conclusion that the use of biocidal
surfaces has significant positive economic advantages.
Finally, in Chap. 9 , George Byrns reviews the pros and cons of using chemical
fumigation and germicidal UVC irradiation in healthcare and other related settings.
He raises the concern that while both fumigation and UV irradiation are capable of
killing microorganisms, it is uncertain whether the benefits in terms of overall
hospital patient infection rates outweigh the risks and costs associated with these
methods, further strengthening the importance of using biocidal self-disinfecting
surfaces to combat environmental contamination.
I hope this topic will give significant support to the notion that the inclusion in
clinical settings of self-disinfecting biocidal hard and soft surfaces can significantly
help in the fight against healthcare-acquired infections. I also hope you will find this
topic informative, comprehensive and interesting.
References
1. Klevens RM et al (2007) Estimating health care-associated infections and deaths in
U.S. hospitals, 2002. Public Health Rep 122(2):160-166
2. Reed D, Kemmerly SA (2009) Infection control and prevention: a review of hospital-acquired
infections and the economic implications. Ochsner J 9(1):27-31
3. Zimlichman E et al (2013) Health care-associated infections: a meta-analysis of costs and
financial impact on the US health care system. JAMA Intern Med 173(22):2039-2046
4. Bhalla A et al (2004) Acquisition of nosocomial pathogens on hands after contact with environ-
mental surfaces near hospitalized patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 25(2):164-167
5. Boyce JM, Potter-Bynoe G, Chenevert C, King T (1997) Environmental contamination due to
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: possible infection control implications. Infect
Control Hosp Epidemiol 18(9):622-627
6. Eckstein BC et al (2007) Reduction of Clostridium Difficile and vancomycin-resistant Entero-
coccus contamination of environmental surfaces after an intervention to improve cleaning
methods. BMC Infect Dis 7:61
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