December 2, 2011: Copper's New Role: Germ Killer

LiquiTech Copper Silver Ionization Systems use copper, in combination with silver, to combat your facility’s water system. Now, copper is making its presence even more abundant in the healthcare scene as new studies show that copper, instead of stainless steel, can make a huge difference in reducing germs in hospital rooms.

Hand sanitizer is placed at every entrance and waiting room, signs in bathrooms remind everyone to wash their hands, and signs in the hallway give a friendly reminder to cover mouths when you have the urge to cough. How else can hospitals cut down on infection? Replacing all of that stainless steel with copper.

A study led by Dr. Michael Schmidt of the Medical University of South Carolina examined the benefits of replacing stainless steel with copper in hospitals rooms. In ICU rooms, objects near patients such as bed rails, meal tray tables, IV stands, and nurse call buttons were all replaced with antimicrobial copper. Assessments after the initial installation of this change showed a 97% decrease in the amount of bacteria and a 41% decrease in the rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

The fact that copper can be used as an effective clinical disinfectant is not new news. It’s effectiveness has been known for some time. In labs, copper has been found to kill 99.9% of bacteria within two hours of being introduced. The problem with these statistics is that, until very recently, most studies were limited to labs. Human trials have remained scarce, and this current study is one of the first to show that copper is effective as a “passive infection control.” This is that copper can be used as a disinfectant that doesn’t require any special actions by hospital staff or patients. 

Clinical trials are now being held in many countries and data should be coming soon to establish just how effective this method can be in reducing HAIs in hospitals. If it turns out to be anything like Dr. Schmidt has explained (“All living things generate electricity, and when bacteria come in contact with a copper surface, the metal siphons off their electrons, leaving them without energy.”) many hospitals will likely take note and begin the process to converting to copper.

To read the full article from Singularity Hub, click here.