Economics of Using Biocidal Surfaces - Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections - page 173

8.4 Economic Impacts on the Operational Costs of the ICU
After Antimicrobial Copper Cu + Implementation
It is known that the pathogenic microorganisms accumulate at surfaces of the
environment, multiply and form a reservoir of microbes transmitted by contact
(hands or other objects). Commonly, microbial strains are found in hospitals and
the most resistant of those, populate mainly in the ICU. This, combined with the
excessive use of antibiotics, makes it difficult, tedious and expensive and some-
times impossible to address hospital infections [ 19 ].
In that sense, any attempt to restrict, or eliminate this “microbes reservoir” in
hospitals, particularly in ICU's is welcomed, always accompanied by associated
study and observation. Under this frame, the implementation of Antimicrobial
Copper alloys Cu + (Cu63 %, Zn37 % Lead Free) on specific surfaces in ICU's
and further study and result's analysis, of this implementation and its antimicrobial
activity, is an innovative effort against microorganisms with beneficial effects to
the public health [ 20 ].
Antimicrobial activity of copper and specific copper alloys has proved in several
studies (Heslet 2007), highlighting potential positive impact in ICU & NICU
(Nosocomial areas [ 1 , 24 ]) together with the action of antimicrobial drugs which
assist into reducing microbial flora in Nosocomial environment.
Simultaneously, the analysis of implementations of antimicrobial copper
surfaces in public places (schools, hotels, public transportation facilities, subway,
etc. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 11 ]) has observed similar results.
Generally the results show a significantly reduced rate of microbial flora in
antimicrobial copper surfaces and on a continuous basis up to 95 % [ 24 ] compared
to common surfaces.
Results from a clinical trial in the U.S., funded by the Ministry of Defense, bring
proved data to new levels, by evaluating the link between microbial growth on
multi-touch surfaces and patients' infestations from HAI's. From these findings it
appears that regarding patients receiving treatment in ICU, where objects of
antimicrobial copper alloys were placed, the risk of infection was reduced to less
than 58 % [ 17 ].
In a research carried out in Greece [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 11 ] in selected surfaces/objects in
the ICU environment (mixed-type, four to six beds capacity) antimicrobial copper
alloys were implemented.
In this ICU epidemiological, medical and financial data of operation were
recorded and analyzed.
The preliminary (pilot) study section analyzed initially two periods, more
specifically during the periods between December 2010 and March 2011 and
between December 2011 and March 2012, i.e. before and after the implementation
of Antimicrobial Copper (Cu + )63%-Zn37%.
The antimicrobial copper alloy Cu + , as the raw material for manufacturing
surfaces or objects with antimicrobial properties is certified by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA and the Hellenic Copper Development
Institute (H.C.D.I.) in Greece.