Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Grinnell Regional Medical Centre testing clean with CuVerro
Grinnell Regional Medical Centre (GRMC) is engaged with Olin Brass in a comprehensive clinical trial to test the impact of Olin Brass' CuVerro solid copper alloy products, in an effort to reduce the bacteria that cause infections and thus dramatically improve the hygiene of the patient environment.
CuVerro is a bactericidal touch surface that can kill 99.9% of bacteria within two hours of contact.
As an Environmental Protection Agency-registered copper alloy surface, it has been proven to be effective 24/7; continuously killing infectious bacteria - and because it is a copper alloy, its properties never wash out or wear away, a significant factor in creating cleaner healthcare environments*.
"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 impressive studies have shown the effectiveness of CuVerro copper alloys in reducing bacteria load. 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 readmitted after a hospital stay."
Researchers completed baseline bacteria level testing in GRMC's medical surgical unit last month. With installation of a range of CuVerro surfaces to be complete by November, bioload testing will conclude early next year.
CuVerro touch surface products are being installed in about half of the patient rooms in the GRMC med-surg unit. Products that are 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, faucets, soap and alcohol dispensers, and toilet flush levers.
CuVerro surface products are being supplied by equipment manufacturers that have incorporated CuVerro materials in their respective products, including Eaton, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Midbrook Medical, Pedigo Products, Colonial Bronze, Elkay, Just Manufacturing, Larco, Trimco, Tubular Specialties Manufacturing, Frigo Design, Mr. Label, Operator Interface Technology, American Standard Brands, and Sloan Valve.
Dr. Michael Schmidt, professor and vice-chairman of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, and Dr. Shannon Hinsa-Leasure, associate professor and chair of biology at Grinnell College, are leading the testing efforts.
"This study will allow us to see first-hand how well this works," Todd Linden says. "Our long-term vision is to see CuVerro copper alloy touch surfaces incorporated throughout our institution, our community, and beyond. For example, we are introducing CuVerro touch surface in free weights at the unveiling of GRMC's state-of-the-art Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Centre. Black Iron Strength manufactures a product line of weights and fitness equipment with CuVerro bactericidal gripping surfaces.
"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.
*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, CuVerro surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within two hours of exposure: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli O157:H7, and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) (The use of CuVerro antimicrobial copper products is a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices, including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. This surface has been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination).
T: 1-877-311-2883
E: kon.J[email protected]
W: www.cuverro.com
23rd October 2014