Medical Cleaning: Copper Surfaces in Hospitals
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July 25, 2013Copper Provides Natural Antimicrobial Properties
Image Credit: Eric Golub
Copper, A metal known for its electrical conductivity, also has powerful bactericide properties.
Hospitals do their best to keep everything free of harmful bacteria, but deadly hospital acquired infections (HIAs) are a growing problem. Patients already weakened by surgery or disease have difficulty battling infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics.
Hospital acquired infections are decreased when hospitals add copper and copper alloy to touchable surfaces. These surfaces kill germs and have become a leader in the bacterial defense.
Antimicrobial Copper Kills Resistant Bacteria
Image Credit: John Fennell
In the above YouTube video, John Fennel discusses copper’s antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobial copper has been shown to kill 99 percent of bacteria, including those that are resistant to antibiotics. Copper kills pathogens effectively – usually within two hours of exposure.
Antimicrobial Copper + Quality Medical Cleaning
While copper has a natural and passive way to kill microbes, it should be used along with an active program of professional medical cleaning.
Copper surfaces can kill harmful microbes, but surfaces in the room don’t have this natural ability. Doorknobs, cabinets and other surfaces may be made of wood or other material and thus are not protected. A professional medical cleaning service can sanitize all the places that aren’t made of copper.