Antimicrobials: Healthcare's Silver Bullet Against HAIs?

One study conducted at the University of Southampton’s School of Biological Sciences showed that the concentration of live bacteria (MRSA, E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes) dropped from several orders of magnitude to zero on copper alloys (including high coppers, brasses, bronzes, copper-nickels and copper-nickel-zinc) in a few hours. In contrast, no reduction was seen in the concentration of live organisms on stainless steel during the six-hour test period.

Dresher (2004) points to three areas in which copper has been used to curb healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs): sanitation of the water supply, of air-conditioning systems, and of surfaces. Copper/silver ionizers — championed by the CDC and OSHA — have been used successfully to control L. pneumophila in a number of hospitals in the United States and elsewhere, and that it has displaced hyperchlorination as a long-term disinfection solution. The use of copper plumbing also can be effective in controlling L. pneumophila as well as other Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter calcoacticus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Aeromonas hydrophila.

A number of companies have successfully incorporated antimicrobial metals into their commercially available products for the healthcare environment. Michael Triana, CEO and president of Bio Barrier, LLC, observes, “Antimicrobial coatings are an added measure that can minimize a variety of pathogenic organisms for extended periods of time. This is very critical from an environmental services (ES) standpoint, in that anything that can strengthen the interior environment should be considered. ES and infection control professionals cannot be everywhere all the time. Human error, the lack of thorough cleaning protocol, the lack of trained personnel, the overuse of antibiotics, and the lack of handwashing enforcement is a problem in many healthcare settings. As for the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, our technology is proven and can reduce the microbial dose on the surfaces themselves. By reducing pathogens one can expect to reduce the infection rates, the overall microbial dose, and help improve operating margins.” According to Triana, Bio Barrier’s ISO-ONE® Pathogen Control System is specially applied to almost all surfaces in a healthcare setting. “Our mPale technology is based on the AEGIS Microbe Shield. Most U.S. hospitals will not go for full-on antimicrobial surface applications with an antimicrobial coating. One reason is that no one has randomized trials backing a coating in a large facility, and the second reason is that patient interruption must be eliminated. We are addressing these two concerns, and are in the process of doing our own clinical trial with an infectious disease expert.”