The use of copper surfaces in intensive care units, 97% kill of bacteria that can cause nosocomial infections, according to preliminary results of a study in the U.S..
The research, presented at the First International Conference on Prevention and Control of Infections of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, also showed a 40% risk of infection.
The report supported the findings four years ago in three U.S. hospitals: replacing the contaminated surfaces in intensive care units with copper monitor the growth of bacteria and reduce infection rates.
Nosocomial infections are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease, strokes and cancer.
According to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English), one of every 20 hospital patients contract a nosocomial disease, resulting in the deaths of 100,000 people a year.
The rate of 97% reduction of bacteria with antibacterial copper is similar to that achieved with the cleaning is done in a room when a patient leaves.
Michael Schmidt, professor and vice chair of microbiology and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina, who presented the findings, said: “The bacteria in intensive care units are probably responsible for 80% of infections in patients, demonstrates how critical it is to keep hospitals clean. “
“Objects of copper used in clinical trials lowered the levels of bacteria and supplemented cleaning protocols,” he said.
