Grinnell Regional Medical Centre tests CuVerro copper alloy products on touch surfaces

Published: 22-Oct-2014

With the aim of reducing the bacteria that cause infections


Grinnell Regional Medical Centre (GRMC) is working with Olin Brass of Louisville, Kentucky in a trial to test the impact of Olin Brass' CuVerro solid copper alloy products.

CuVerro is a bactericidal touch surface that is said to kill 99.9% of bacteria within two hours of contact. As an EPA-registered copper alloy surface, the properties of CuVerro have been proven effective 24/7 for continuously killing infectious bacteria. Being a copper alloy, its properties never wash out or wear away, a significant factor in creating cleaner healthcare environments.

GRMC and CuVerro are conducting this study in an effort to reduce bacteria that cause infections and dramatically improve the hygiene of the patient environment.

‘Our primary interest is to see what can be done to help in the reduction of bacteria that cause hospital acquired infections,’ says Todd Linden, GRMC President and CEO. ‘We want to build on our long history of focusing on patient safety. Past studies have shown the effectiveness of CuVerro copper alloys in reducing bacteria load.

‘With CuVerro we want to see how far we can take this at GRMC. This is important for so many reasons, from reducing bacteria that cause potentially life-threatening illnesses to ensuring that patients don't have to be re-admitted after a hospital stay.’

Past studies have shown the effectiveness of CuVerro copper alloys in reducing bacteria load

Last month, researchers completed baseline bacteria level testing in GRMC's medical surgical unit. With the installation of a range of CuVerro surfaces to be completed by November, bioload testing on the CuVerro surface products will conclude early next year.

Products being installed include door levers, wall switches and outlet covers, IV poles, drawer and cabinet pulls, grab bars, automatic push plates, over-bed tables, computer keyboards, sinks, taps, soap and alcohol dispensers, and toilet flush levers.

Michael Schmidt, Professor and Vice-Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, and Shannon Hinsa-Leasure, Associate Professor and Chair of biology at Grinnell College, are leading the tests.

‘This study will allow us to see first-hand how well this works,’ Linden says. ‘Our long-term vision is to see CuVerro copper alloy touch surfaces incorporated throughout our institution, our community, and beyond.

‘We will always need to wash our hands, clean and disinfect surfaces, and protect ourselves with alcohol gels. What we hope to learn from this study is that CuVerro is one more very important tool in our arsenal to reduce the bacteria that cause infections and the spread of germs.’

CuVerro is manufactured by GBC Metals, which trades as Olin Brass, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper, which is a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper Holdings, a leading manufacturer and distributor of copper, copper-alloy and bactericidal copper sheet, strip, plate, foil, rod, ingot and fabricated components in North America and one of the largest in the world.

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