New guide simplifies specification of antimicrobial copper

Published: 14-Oct-2014

To assist in infection control


Antimicrobial Copper: A Specifier’s Guide provides healthcare architects and estates managers with guidance on upgrading key touch surfaces to antimicrobial copper to assist in infection control.

Although the antimicrobial properties of copper have been exploited for centuries, it is only recently that the benefits of copper touch surfaces for infection control have been evaluated. But with more than 200 papers now published on laboratory and clinical research, there is still a lack of practical information to help specifiers understand where and how to deploy copper to improve environmental hygiene in healthcare facilities. This new publication provides simple and straightforward information on which surfaces to prioritise for upgrade, how to recognise efficacious products and where to source them.

A number of studies have identified frequently touched surfaces as being contamination hotspots which present a risk to patients, staff and visitors, making them suitable for upgrading with antimicrobial copper. These studies have informed cleaning guidance and a table of high-risk surfaces to prioritise for upgrade has been developed. The guide emphasises that this table is just the starting point and highlights the need to involve infection control and ward staff as well as referring to routine microbiological sampling to help identify the particular hotspots for any given area.

The guide provides pointers on how to specify products, stressing that they must not be painted, coated or lacquered, as this would impair efficacy. It also describes the industry stewardship scheme, which offers reassurance when sourcing products and services – specifiers can look for the Cu+ mark on products.

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