Economics of Using Biocidal Surfaces - Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections - page 174

Fig. 8.3 Trolley
implemented with
antimicrobial copper
(Peiraikon Therapeftirion,
Piraeus, Greece)
Fig. 8.4 Nurse's station
implemented with
antimicrobial copper
(Peiraikon Therapeftirion,
Piraeus, Greece)
The objects and surfaces replaced with Antimicrobial Copper (Cu + ) were: all the
door handles of the ICU (internal - external), all cabinet knobs, and all trolley's
shelve knobs and surfaces, as well as the surfaces of the ICU nurse's station
(Figs. 8.3 and 8.4 ).
Cultures were taken for detection of bacteria and viruses from the above
surfaces, before and after the phase of Cu + implementation or replacement of
those, with a new of antimicrobial copper alloys. Samples taken from the surfaces
were cultured in selective culture media for microbial growth and virus isolation by
molecular techniques.
A total of 15 samples per period (before and after) were taken from door handles,
cabinet knobs, trolleys surfaces and shelves, as well as from the nurse's station
surfaces.
The sample taking was made with cotton swabs that were drawn on the surfaces
and transported to the laboratory in special transport equipment “Stuart” within
30 min. Then, they were cultivated on selective culture media for the respective
species of microbes (Gram (-) bacteria, Gram (+) grains, fungi and anaerobes).
The samples were inoculated directly, into selective nutrient medium ( Vlood agar,
Anaerobic Blood agar, MacConkey, Sabouraud with Gentamicin, Chocolate agar