|Articles|July 24, 2014

Hospital Changes More Than 1,100 Touch Points to Hussey Copper's MD-Cu29 Antimicrobial Copper

Hussey Copper, a leader in copper manufacturing and maker of MD-Cu29 antimicrobial copper announces Pullman Regional Hospital's conversion of more than 1,100 touch points to the first EPA-registered antimicrobial solid touch surface, at a nominal cost. This reasonably priced surface kills greater than 99.9 percent of MRSA, E. coli and other bacteria within two hours of exposure(1) and will aid the hospital in protecting against bacteria and infectious diseases in its facilities.
 
Pullman Regional Hospital, in Pullman, Wash., understands the bacteria-killing effects of antimicrobial copper and the benefits for its acute care. Pullman's innovative initiatives are a living example of their commitment to health and tangible step toward its vision for a self-sustaining, self-determining inclusive model of healthcare.

MD-Cu29 antimicrobial copper delivers continuous and ongoing antibacterial action, remaining effective in killing greater than 99.9 percent of bacteria within two hours and continues to kill 99 percent of bacteria* even after repeated contaminations.

"Changing existing touch surfaces over to MD-Cu29 antimicrobial copper is not as expensive as you think. For less than $7,000, Pullman converted more than 1,100 touch surfaces to a material that is registered by the EPA to kill certain types of bacteria," says Joe Mallak, CEO of Hussey Copper. "Sustainable and attainable, how many products can you think of that are low in cost and kill bacteria like MRSA and E. coli and do so for the life of the product, even after repeated contaminations? "  

Reference: 1. Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper, like MD-Cu29, kills greater than 99.9 percent of bacteria* within two hours of exposure.

*Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial copper surfaces, made with materials such as MD-Cu29, are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices.

Source: Hussey Copper


Related to this article

A brightly lit Hospital operating room, a surgical team wearing gowns and masks.  (Adobe Stock 1790696595 by Damian)
Turnover pressure can leave critical OR cleaning steps unfinished. Karen deKay, MSN, RN, EBP-C, CNOR, CIC, FAPIC, examines common gaps in environmental hygiene and how shared responsibilities, attention to disinfectant contact time, and ongoing education can help teams strengthen practices between cases.
Infection preventionists in full PPE with children in DRC.  (Image credit: author with AI)
Nearly 4 months into the DRC's Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak, some indicators suggest transmission may be slowing. But shifting hotspots, treatment-center capacity problems, community deaths, and incomplete surveillance data show why national case totals alone cannot determine whether containment has been achieved.