Healthcare Design Webinar: Clinical Evidence for the Use of Copper Touch Surfaces in Healthcare

On September 19, 2013, I attended a webinar sponsored by The Copper Development Alliance, (CDA).  The speakers were Harold Michels, PhD and Dr. Archelle Georgiou, MD.

The CDA is a not for profit trade association whose website is www.copper.org.  They represent the U.S. Copper Industry.  Since copper is plentiful in the United States, and is easily recycled, it is considered sustainable.

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Hospital Acquired Infections, (HAIs), are a challenge in todays hospital system.  In the past, HAIs actually increased revenue for hospitals, but today there are federally enforced fines for hospitals that have more than their quota of HAIs.  80% of infectious diseases are transferred by touch.  They are invisible to the naked eye and are expensive to the U.S. healthcare system.  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, (MRSA), is a serious health problem since it is drug resistant.

The good news is that copper is anti-microbial.  There is no special coating of additive that makes this happen.  Simply put, copper kills germs.  Copper kills germs fast.  The most common copper alloy is brass.  Nickel is another common copper alloy.  Our coins are all made of copper and copper alloys.  That is why germs are not usually spread through financial exchange.  Germs, even MRSA, cannot survive on copper surfaces.  Additionally, tarnish does not reduce this effect.  Copper will kill 99.99% of germs that lie on it within 2 hours.

www.antimicrobialcopper.com

Some of the objects that people touch frequently in hospitals are:  sinks, IV poles, patient transfer stretchers, railings, grab bars, building products such as light switches, work surfaces, door hardware, cabinet hardware, and keyboards.  These products are becoming commercially available in copper and may bring about significant healthcare benefits to hospitals, their patients, their staff and visitors.

In thinking beyond hospitals, Harold Michels suggests that copper could prove beneficial in any situation where a patient has immune deficiencies, or where people gather and, possibly, spread germs. Some of the suggested places where copper might be used are schools, public transportation, food and hospitality venues,  spas and fitness centers.

I'm thinking about replacing my kitchen countertop with copper.