Role of the Microbial Burden in the Acquisition and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections: The Utility of Solid Copper Surfaces - Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections - page 60

the microbes implicated in HAI and how through controlling the microbial burden
of the built clinical environment it is possible to mitigate the rate of HAI acquisi-
tion. Specifically evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of solid copper surfaces
for its ability to continuously limit the concentration of bacteria found on surfaces
and objects within the built environment will be reviewed in concert with a
discussion of how through the mitigation of the environmental burden copper
surfaces are able to concomitantly reduce the incidence of HAI. Insights provided
by this chapter are intended to facilitate an understanding and importance of the
need to use a comprehensive or systems based approach to fight healthcare associated
infections.

Keywords Hospital Associated Infections (HAI) • Antimicrobial Copper

List of Abbreviations

CA-ASB Catheter associated bacteriuria
CAUTI Catheter-associated urinary tract infections

CFU Colony-forming units

CI Confidence interval

CLABSI Central line-associated bloodstream infections

CDI Clostridium difficile infection

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

HAI Hospital associated infections

HCWs healthcare workers

HPV Hydrogen peroxide

HTOs High touch objects

ICU Intensive care unit

IDSA Infectious Disease Society of America

IV Intravenous

KPC Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase

MRSA Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

MDR Multi-drug resistant bacteria

PFGE Pulsed field gel electrophoresis

PMF Proton motive force

PPE Personal protective equipment

OR Odds ratio

SSI Surgical site infections

UTI Urinary tract infections

UV Ultraviolet

VAP Ventilator-associated pneumonia

VRE Vancomycin resistant enterococci