Biocidal Hard and Soft Surfaces Containing Copper Oxide Particles for the Reduction of Healthcare-Acquired Pathogens - Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections - page 94

Hospitals in Virginia, has outfitted the copper-infused countertops, bed rails, and
over the bed tables in their new 129 bed-tower in all patient care areas, including
nursing units, visitor lounges, and patient rooms. In early 2014, the hospital also
introduced copper-infused hospital gowns, pillowcases, and towels in the new
tower. They will compare the rates of HAI, such as urinary catheter-associated
and central line blood stream infections, with the infection rates in a similar existing
129-bed tower, in which no copper containing products will be utilized.
In conclusion, the introduction of soft and hard surfaces containing biocidal
copper oxide particles in clinical settings may be an important adjunct for the
reduction of bioburden and HAI. Furthermore, as HAI are now spreading out
from the hospital environment into the community, the use of biocidal textiles,
such as those impregnated with copper oxide, and hard surfaces containing a high
percentage of copper, may not only significantly contribute to the reduction of HAI,
but may also confer protection when used in homes for the elderly and in other
environments where immune compromised individuals are at high risk of
contracting infections.

References

1. Noble WA (1981) Dispersal of microorganisms from skin. In: Microbiology of human skin,
2nd edn. Lloyd-Luke Ltd, London, pp 77-85
2. Coronel D et al (2001) Infection et contamination bacterienne de l'environnement des
patients: les draps. Reanimation 10S:43-44
3. Beggs CB (2003) The airborne transmission of infection in hospital buildings: fact or fiction?
Indoor Built Environ 12:9-18
4. Gabbay J et al (2006) Copper oxide impregnated textiles with potent biocidal activities. J Ind
Text 35(4):323-335
5. Nordstrom JM, Reynolds KA, Gerba CP (2012) Comparison of bacteria on new, disposable,
laundered, and unlaundered hospital scrubs. Am J Infect Control 40(6):539-543
6. Fijan S, Sostar-Turk S, Cencic A (2005) Implementing hygiene monitoring systems in
hospital laundries in order to reduce microbial contamination of hospital textiles. J Hosp
Infect 61(1):30-38
7. Fijan S, Turk SS (2012) Hospital textiles, are they a possible vehicle for healthcare-associated
infections? Int J Environ Res Public Health 9(9):3330-3343
8. Perry C, Marshall R, Jones E (2001) Bacterial contamination of uniforms. J Hosp Infect
48(3):238-241
9. Bureau-Chalot F, Piednoir E, Camus J, Bajolet O (2004) Microbiologic quality of linen and
linen rooms in short-term care units. J Hosp Infect 56(4):329-331
10. Hota B (2004) Contamination, disinfection, and cross-colonization: are hospital surfaces
reservoirs for nosocomial infection? Clin Infect Dis 39(8):1182-1189
11. 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
12. Gould FK, Freeman R (1993) Nosocomial infection with microsphere beds. Lancet

342(8865):241-242