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 92

the successful result of this trial, the Reuth Medical Center has now changed all
their linens in all wards to the copper oxide impregnated linens.
There is no reason to believe that reducing bioburden in other wards or clinical
settings by using biocidal linens would not reduce bioburden and HAI. The use of
biocidal textiles should be a complementary approach to fight HAI in medical
institutions as well as long term care facilities, where the risks of acquiring an
infection are high. However, additional studies with other patient populations
and different wards should further test this notion. Currently, a study is being
conducted at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (Norfolk, Va.),whereacritical
care unit that shares the same nursing staff will test the biocidal fabrics in one side
of the unit for 6 months before switching them to the other unit for another
6months.

5.4 Non-porous Solid Biocidal Surfaces Containing
Copper Oxide

Elemental copper and copper alloys have been registered by the USA Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) as antimicrobial substances with approval to make public
health claims that the copper oxide impregnated surfaces kill greater than 99.9 % of

gram negative and gram positive bacteria within 2 h of exposure. The approvals were
obtained after demonstrating in independent laboratories potent biocidal efficacy
following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) testing. The significant contribution of
metallic copper surfaces to the reduction of bioburden in clinical settings [ 134 - 140 ]
and to reduction of HAI [ 141 ] has recently been demonstrated and is discussed in
Chap. 4 .
Recently, similarly to the elemental copper and copper alloys, also non-porous
hard surfaces containing copper oxide particles (Fig. 5.4 ) have been registered by the
EPA as antimicrobial surfaces and allowed to make public health claims (EPA
Registration number 84542-7). The approval is based on GLP testing demonstrating
the ability to kill specific disease ‐ causing bacteria: MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus,
Enterobacter aerogenes, P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (O157:H7). The product
is approved for use in a wide range of applications, including health care. The
samples were tested in various environmental conditions, cleaning protocols, and
for efficacy after repeated exposure. The non-porous copper infused surfaces also
underwent extensive American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard
testing to support mechanical performance claims, allowing making efficacy claims
that the copper

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oxide impregnated surfaces kill greater than 99.9 % of gram negative
andgrampositivebacteriawithin2hofexposurebetweenroutinecleaningand
sanitizing steps and even after repeated exposure [ 142 ].
Currently seven hospitals have already installed the non-porous copper infused
surfaces - six in the USA and one in Israel, with the aim of further reducing the rates
of HAI. The Sentara Leigh Hospital, which is one of the 11 acute care Sentara

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