| Copper itself is not new. In fact, it has been used for | | | | than of HIV and breast cancer together! |
| thousands of years by humans, mined and crafted into | | | | As such, hospitals are constantly working to keep |
| tools to make life easier and simpler. However, a | | | | areas free of germs. Both staff and visitors are |
| recent surge in interest regarding this versatile and | | | | encouraged to wash their hands frequently, and |
| historic metal has yielded even more uses for copper. | | | | surfaces are cleaned regularly with anti-bacterial |
| One of the most interesting of these uses is in | | | | cleaning solutions in an effort to combat the deadly |
| hospitals, where copper is proving itself even more | | | | spread of germs. |
| useful than we ever could have known. | | | | A naturally perfect solution |
| What makes copper so versatile? | | | | Recently, it has been discovered that copper is a very |
| Before explaining copper's role in hospitals and other | | | | hostile environment to microbes; that is, small |
| healthcare facilities, it is important to understand the | | | | organisms that spread disease cannot survive for long |
| unique properties of this reddish-colored metal that set | | | | on a copper surface. In light of this important discovery, |
| it apart from other metals. | | | | hospitals have begun replacing stainless steel and |
| There are three attributes that make copper so useful | | | | plastic fixtures with copper ones, including counter tops, |
| in a variety of applications, particularly in facilities where | | | | touch plates, faucets and taps. |
| sterility is exceptionally important. | | | | Initially this was done on an experimental scale, but |
| - High conductivity | | | | when researchers saw the dramatic decrease in |
| - Recyclability | | | | infections the copper fixtures have been installed |
| - Resistance to corrosion | | | | wherever there is room in the budget to do so. Copper |
| Hospital Infections | | | | has been more successful than any other realistic |
| Sterility is a major concern in hospitals, where | | | | means of sterilizing these areas with a high potential |
| infections are a very serious problem. The CDC | | | | for spreading infection. |
| estimates that approximately 2 million people contract | | | | Copper fixtures in hospitals offer the potential to |
| infections each year as a result of contact with a virus | | | | reduce the risks associated with being admitted to |
| in a hospital environment, and that these infections are | | | | these facilities and improve the outcomes for many |
| the fourth leading killer of Americans. That means that | | | | patients. Copper is truly changing the way people |
| more people die of infections they got in a hospital | | | | work! |