The first phase of the study showed that the most heavily contaminated objects are those in closest proximity to the patients. High levels of Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA and VRE were found on common objects, such as bed rails, call buttons and visitor chairs. Because these bacteria can survive for extended periods of time, contaminated surfaces can act as a means for spreading bacteria to patients, visitors and healthcare workers.
In the second phase of the trial, copper bed rails, tray tables, chair arms, call buttons, monitors and IV poles replaced the stainless steel and plastic versions in ICU rooms of three hospitals: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York City, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Centre, both in Charleston, SC.
The copper significantly reduced the amount of bacteria in ICU patient care rooms and on many individual objects within those rooms. Further study is needed to assess whether copper touch surfaces can play a role in preventing cross contamination and the transmission of hospital-acquired infections.
Laboratory testing independent of the clinical trial has shown that copper and copper alloys, such as brass and bronze, kill 99.9% of bacteria within two hours when cleaned regularly and as a supplement to routine cleaning and disinfection programmes. The US Environmental Protection Agency has registered these materials as public health antimicrobial products that can control VRE, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7, all of which are associated with infections in humans.
The clinical trial was funded by the US Department of Defence under the aegis of the Telemedicine and Advanced Technologies Research Centre (TATRC), a section of the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC).
Contact Geralyn Lederman Copper Development Association T +1 212 251 7209 {encode="glederman@cda.copper.org" title="glederman@cda.copper.org"}