around the ( round ) earth have contributed to the research and manufacturing of different alloys for various high-touch surfaces :
● Touch surfaces : One of the most common applications of antimicrobial copper is on touch surfaces in healthcare facilities , public spaces , and transportation . This includes items like doorknobs , handrails , bedrails , faucets , and elevator buttons . When these surfaces are made of copper or copper alloys , they can help reduce the transmission of pathogens through touch .
●Overbed tables : These are the most touched surfaces in healthcare , used throughout each day for patient ’ s personal items , food serving , and clinical services like wound treatment , IVs , catheters , and phlebotomy . Overbed tables are virtually never cleaned or disinfected during a patient ’ s stay because environmental services staff are reluctant to remove medical devices or a patient ’ s personal belongings . In a perfect world , all overbed tables would be made of antimicrobial copper .
● Countertops and work surfaces : In settings where hygiene is critical , such as laboratories and food preparation areas , copper countertops and work surfaces are used to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms .
● Medical equipment : Copper and copper alloys can be incorporated into various medical devices and equipment , including hospital bedrails , IV poles , and dental instruments , to reduce the risk of HAIs .
● Personal protective equipment ( PPE ): Copper-infused fabrics and materials are sometimes used in the production of PPE , such as face masks and gloves , to provide an additional layer of protection against pathogens .
● Handrails and guardrails : In public transportation systems like buses , subways , and trains , as well as in crowded public spaces , copper or copper alloy handrails and guardrails can help reduce the spread of germs from hand contact .
It is important to note that while antimicrobial copper can help reduce the presence of harmful microorganisms on surfaces , it is not a substitute for regular cleaning practices . Proper cleaning and hygiene protocols should still be followed in conjunction with the use of antimicrobial copper to ensure the highest level of safety and cleanliness . The effectiveness of antimicrobial copper may vary depending on factors such as the specific copper alloy used , surface morphology , and maintenance . However , it remains a valuable tool in the fight against the spread of infectious agents in various settings .
Silver : This metal has been used for centuries for its antimicrobial properties , and it continues to be used in various medical and industrial applications . Some common uses of silver in this context include :
● Silver dressings : Silver-impregnated dressings are used in wound care to help prevent infection and promote healing . They release silver ions slowly , which can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria in the wound .
● Silver coatings : Silver coatings or nanoparticles are used in medical devices , such as catheters and implants , to reduce the risk of bacterial colonization and infection .
● Water purification : Silver is sometimes used in water purification systems to disinfect water by killing harmful microorganisms .
● Antimicrobial textiles : Silver nanoparticles can be incorporated into textiles , such as clothing and bed linens , to provide antimicrobial properties and reduce odors .
It is important to note that while silver can be effective against a wide range of microorganisms , including antibiotic-resistant bacteria , its use is not regulated and controlled due to potential toxicity or overexposure of silver ions . Additionally , ongoing research is being conducted to better understand the mechanisms of silver ’ s antimicrobial action and to develop safe and effective silver-based products .
HVAC System Design : Be aware that most older hospitals in the U . S . and Canada use recycled air in their HVAC systems with only recent builds that use 100 percent fresh air . This use of recycled air was for purely ‘ energy ’ savings while the newer designs focus on ‘ infection prevention ’ savings . Ironically though , the most energy efficient hospital HVAC system in Canada , Humber River Hospital , uses 100 percent outside air . HVAC systems that are designed with 100 percent fresh air supply also benefit from the use of High Efficiency Particle Air ( HEPA ) rated filters . True HEPA filters must capture at least 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 micrometers in size or larger . These filters are commonly used in medical facilities , cleanrooms , and applications where extremely high air quality is essential . The types of hospital environments where the benefit is most useful are operating rooms , intensive care units , clean rooms , decontamination , and medical equipment processing departments , burn and bone marrow transplant units .
Other types of filters called MERV ( Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ) are also useful in different critical environments of a healthcare facility .
MERV 8 : Often used as a pre-filter , MERV 8 filters capture small particles such as dust and mold spores with little restriction to flow . MERV 12 - 13 : Improved filtration , effective against fine particles like smoke and some bacteria .
In summary , EIP technologies , materials , and strategies are adjuncts to cleaning and may be either adjuncts or replacements to traditional disinfection of air , water , and surfaces . Change is quite often slow to happen , but the COVID pandemic has proven that traditional cleaning and disinfection processes do not work well enough by themselves . EIP is therefore part of the ‘ round ’ world of new strategies to reduced healthcare and community-based infections and death . Infection prevention is everyone ’ s responsibility , so let us change together and use EIP to the maximum . Our lives depend on it .
Richard Dixon is co-founder and board member of the Coalition for Community and Healthcare Associated Infection Reduction ( CHAIR ). Read more at CHAIRcoalition . org
References :
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Note : Canadian Registration content is currently under review in 2023 / 24 5 . https :// www . ashrae . org / file % 20library / professional % 20development / tech % 20hour / tech-hour-ppt _ stephanie-taylor _ november-2019 . pdf 6 . https :// www . ashrae . org / file % 20library / professional % 20development / tech % 20hour / tech-hour-ppt _ stephanie-taylor _ november-2019 . pdf 7 . https :// www . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / pmc / articles / PMC5432778 8 . https :// www . epa . gov / newsreleases / epa-registers-copper-surfaces-residual-use-against-coronavirus
9 . https :// www . canada . ca / en / health-canada / services / consumer-product-safety / reports-publications / pesticides-pest-management / decisions-updates / registration-decision / 2014 / metallic-copper-rd2014-15 . html
24 november 2023 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com