Hospitals can be scary places, mostly because far too many people get something worse than what they went in with. That's why it's best to avoid overnight stays in the hospital if possible, and if it's not, get out as soon as you can. Patients and hospitals are taking steps to minimize infections. Increasingly, that includes switching to copper.
The ancient metals copper, bronze, and silver kill germs naturally. However, copper is the quickest and most efficient. It constantly emits ions that have been shown to kill 95 percent of bacteria, viruses, and mold on its surface within four hours. Copper and many copper alloys have consequently been registered at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the first solid antimicrobial material. That means switching to copper door handles and other frequently touched surfaces can really put a dent in the number of infections we get.
When we touch common metal surfaces such as aluminum and stainless steel, the bacteria on our hands are deposited on the surface. Those bacteria can live on those surfaces for days. During that time, anyone else who touches that surface picks up those bacteria and can be infected by them. This process is a leading cause of infection.
The transfer of dangerous bacteria from person to person via these common hard surfaces is particularly dangerous in hospitals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 25 patients contracts an infection in the hospital. Oftentimes these are deadly superbugs C-Diff, MRSA, Staph and pneumonia.
Some of the most problematic surfaces at hospitals include bed rails and IV poles, which are frequently touched by sick patients and not always thoroughly cleaned before being touched by another patient.
A number of hospital trials in which rooms have been fitted with copper alloy door handles, bed rails, bathroom fixtures, and tabletops show there is a substantial reduction of the microbial burden on a continuous basis. Some hospitals are even using fabrics woven with copper in their bed linens and hospital gowns and seeing positive results.
Make no mistake, copper is expensive. But its infection-fighting benefits are clearly documented. It's most important for hospitals to outfit themselves with copper surfaces and fabrics. But it's also a good idea for businesses, particularly large office buildings. Even families would be less prone to infection if door knobs, faucets, and other hard surfaces were switched to copper. It might be well worth the investment.