Economics of Using Biocidal Surfaces - Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections - page 182

For instance, per day per patient the consumption was 300 doses, while after
copper implementation there was a total of 228 doses respectively (always in
proportionate days of hospitalization). This reduction in consumption for specific
groups of drugs in this patients' unit, corresponds to a reduction of antimicrobial
treatment's cost and handling of those patients (calculated at constant prices of
antimicrobials for hospital use in spring of 2012).
The research focuses on the consumption of antimicrobials in the ICU and not
the cost of these, due to the fact that the cost is variable and cannot be estimated not
only for this but also for the above example with fixed values for 2012. There is no
doubt that reduction in consumption is expressed also by reducing the cost of
antibiotics, which is a key to hospitalization's cost in the ICU patients [ 3 , 14 ].
8.6 Conclusions
The use of biocidal surfaces in healthcare and especially of antimicrobial copper
creates much better economic conditions in the operation of hospital units, partic-
ularly the Intensive Care Units. Antimicrobial copper under certified processes of
implementation and control of the final product is undoubtedly the best material for
the reduction of microbial flora [ 25 ].
On the contrary, the economic analysis of the positive impact of these imple-
mentations can be difficult and diverse, but are directly related to the economic
policies of the National Health system. It is certain that following studies regarding
the scientific and economic nature will further strengthen the already existing
results.
Conclusively, the use of a biocidal material in the form of an object or surface,
and in our case, antimicrobial copper gives the potential to reduce financial burden
parameters on the functioning areas of critical care.
Acknowledgments For the writing of this Chapter I would like to thank the Scientific Team of
Hellenic Copper Development Institute (H.C.D.I.), and the Director of H.C.D.I. Mr. Nikos
Vergopoulos.
Members of the Scientific Research Team of Antimicrobial Copper Medical
School of the Athens University
1. Kouskouni Evangelia, MD., Ph.D, Professor of Biopathology, Medical School
of the Athens University, Director of Areteion Hospital microbiology Lab
2. Papanicolaou Spiros, MD. D.Sc, General Surgeon, National Health Operations
Centre, General Coordinator - Ministry of Health, Greece.
3. Karageorgou Katerina, MD., D.Sc., Biopathologist- Public Health, Hellenic
Center for Disease and Control Prevention.