A level IV trauma center in Washington State has installed copper components throughout its facility as another way of reducing hospital-acquired infections and keeping their patients safe.
Pullman Regional Hospital has become an early adopter of antimicrobial copper after studies found that the age-old metal could continuously kill deadly bacteria.
Each year, 2 million people in the United States are diagnosed with a hospital-acquired infection and nearly 100,000 people die. These infections are caused by common bacteria such as E. coli, MRSA, C. diff, CRE and VRE.
“It is a very serious problem,” said Ed Harrich, the director of surgical services for Pullman Regional Hospital. “I think every hospital across the nation is doing everything they can to try to deal with it the best that they can. But there’s bioburden on everything and people aren’t good at hand washing and there’s cross-contamination everywhere you go.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7378651-copper-development-association-cda-pullman-regional-hospital-keep-patients-safe-antimicrobial-copper/
A recent Harris Interactive survey on the attitudes of the American public towards healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) revealed that almost one quarter (24%) of U.S. adults or someone they know have had an infection as a result of a stay in a hospital; and that 37% are most concerned about the spread of germs and bacteria in hospitals, as compared to other public places.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 2 million people acquire infections while in U.S. hospitals each year; and almost 100,000 die as a result.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58854-antimicrobial-copper-kills-bacteria-healthcare-equipment
Strategic Partners, Inc., the leader in the manufacturing and marketing of medical apparel, lab wear, footwear and accessories, today announced the launch of its next generation of medical apparel: scrubs, lab wear and accessories protected with CERTAINTY™ antimicrobial technology.
On a daily basis, many healthcare professionals are exposed to unwanted bacteria on their clothing. CERTAINTY antimicrobial technology can provide more fabric protection than traditional scrubs, giving healthcare professionals the freedom to perform their duties in comfortable, fashion-inspired clothing.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7458151-strategic-partners-certainty/
New research has revealed that the use of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces in hospital rooms can reduce the number of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by 58% as compared to patients treated in Intensive Care Units with non-copper touch surfaces. In the United States, 1 out of every 20 hospital patients develops an HAI, resulting in an estimated 100,000 deaths per year. Although numerous strategies have been developed to decrease these infections, Antimicrobial Copper is the only strategy that works continuously, has been scientifically proven to be effective and doesn’t depend on human behavior, according to a recently published study in the SHEA Journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61120-antimicrobial-copper-surfaces-reduce-healthcare-acquired-infections
