Antimicrobial Copper: Breaking The Chain Of Infection
Architects and designers have a key
York Health Economics Consortium has
Priority surfaces to upgrade include
role to play in designing infection out
assessed the cost-efficacy of this simple
door furniture, worktops, hand rails, lift
of our hospitals and public spaces, and
intervention, estimating a return on
interiors, light switches and taps. To help
now they have a new ally: Antimicrobial
investment of less than two months
specifiers identify efficacious products,
Copper.
when comparing the small additional
the Cu+ mark is awarded to approved
cost of copper alloy components
companies offering Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial Copper is the umbrella
with the savings made through fewer
Copper products, through an industry
term for over 450 copper alloys –
infections.
stewardship scheme.
nickels – with proven efficacy against
The substantial evidence base, together
It’s a new way of thinking, a different
headline-making germs, including
with a growing supply chain, has led
mindset: specifying an effective and
‘hospital superbugs’ such as MRSA,
to installations in healthcare facilities
durable antimicrobial material for
norovirus and E.coli. While these can
and beyond, in areas where people
hygiene-sensitive environments to help
survive on other materials for days,
gather and infections can spread, such
break the chain of infection and curb the
weeks, even months, they are rapidly
as train stations, airports, care homes
spread of disease.
destroyed on Antimicrobial Copper.
and schools. Antimicrobial Copper is
including brasses, bronzes and copper-
durable, and since its antimicrobial
Visit www.antimicrobialcopper.org/uk/
Touch surfaces made from Antimicrobial
properties are intrinsic to the metal, they
architect-designer to:
Copper work continuously – day and
last the lifetime of the product, unlike
night, between touches and cleans –
coatings, even if subject to knocking and
providing a more hygienic environment
scratching. At end of life, the products
and improving patient safety.
are also 100% recyclable, contributing to
Archetech - Page 20
Research into Antimicrobial Copper’s
sustainable design.
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guidance and news.
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Product Directory.
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efficacy has been peer-reviewed and
Antimicrobial Copper is available in a
newsletter to be entered into a draw
published, with stringent testing carried
range of colours to suit all design themes
to win a Tom Dixon Cog Pen.
out to support an official registration
– from the rich reds of high coppers,
with the US Environmental Protection
through the warm golden-yellows of
Agency as an antimicrobial material. A
the brasses, to the silvery-whites of
recent trial shows that by incorporating
nickel silvers. These colour choices can
Antimicrobial Copper elements into just
help designers create a warmer, more
six key objects in Intensive Care Unit
soothing, healing environment and
rooms, healthcare-associated infections
reduce contamination and thus infection
can be more than halved.
risk.