Antimicrobial Copper: Europe’s biggest antimicrobial copper project so far

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Germany’s largest private healthcare operator, Asklepios, has just announced the biggest use of Antimicrobial Copper touch surfaces to fight infections in a European hospital to date.

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The company said they included 600 Antimicrobial Copper alloy door handles in a recent renovation of their six storey, 774 bed Harburg Clinic that expanded and added departments, including a cutting-edge intensive care unit with space for 60 patients.
Asklepios became convinced about the red metal’s germ fighting credentials after it put Antimicrobial Copper door handles, push plates and light switches in two wards at their Wandsbek Clinic in Hamburg and then measured the clinical results.
The trial “surpassed expectations” Asklepios said at the time, with the leveal of antibiotic drug resistant germs like MSRA cut by a third on the copper compared to other surfaces.
“Hands are known to be the main carriers of pathogens, so door handles play an important role as one of the most common contact surfaces. This is where Antimicrobial Copper comes in,” Dr Susanne Huggett, Medical Director of Asklepios’s MEDILYS Laboratory said.
“Made from a copper alloy containing 70% copper, the handles have a strong germ-reducing effect, which we have demonstrated in our own studies. They are thus part of a comprehensive set of infection prevention measures, an effective supplement to measures such as hand sanitiser, regular surface disinfection and hygiene training for staff.” Asklepios now plans to evaluate the new installation and is considering the rollout of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces to its other facilities.
Australia Builds Up CU+ Protection Too
While Europe may be setting the pace on the installation of healthcare related Antimicrobial Copper-or Cu+ as it’s also known-the options for using it in Australia and New Zealand keep growing as well.
An Antimicrobial Copper industry group that launched at the start of the year now has 16 member companies who collectively offer a range of services and products that meet the copper content standard for Cu+ guaranteed infection control, either as finished & semi finished products or as raw material like sheets and tubes.
While healthcare is the major market focus, companies in the group have also been exploring options in public transport, aged accommodation, childcare, and commercial kitchens. Take a quick look at what they’re all doing, but if you want more information, or want to contact one of them directly, then head to copper.com.au and look for the Antimicrobial Copper spotlight:
Abbotts AMC Hardware in Bendigo in Victoria produces cabinet handles, push/pull plates for doors, door hands, bed head plates and switch plates.
Adnought SheetMetal Fabricator from Queensland custom manufactures benches, sinks, frames and brackets. Bespoke work is also considered.
Convex Engineering in Sydney manufactures door handles, knobs, pull & push plates, handrails, bed head plates, trays, and benches.
Austral Wright Metals is Australia’s largest copper and copper alloy stockist with 4 warehouses nationwide carrying a large range of sheet, coil, bar and tube.
Clipsal & Schneider Electric Partner Business in NSW is making switch plates and power points.
Esco Medicon Medical is present in Australia & New Zealand and makes medical switch plates/bed head plates.
Farley Brass & Copper in Melbourne offers a wide range of semi-finished Antimicrobial Copper alloys like nickel silver tube, rod, sheet and strip.
KEY Tubing & Electrical Industries in South Australia makes copper and copper alloy tubing.
MM Kembla in NSW makes door handles, grab rails & Exposed Brass Breeches.
Mother of Pearl & Sons Trading in Sydney can supply all internal architectural fit-out hardware.
Push or Pull Designer Door Hardware in NSW produces decorative and architectural door furniture and hardware.
SureCare Division of Safety Rail Australia from Victoria makes Safety Hand Rails and Sanitary Hardware, specializing in Polished Nickel (silver) and Satin Nickel (silver).
Avant Garde Innovate in Sydney specializes in hospital equipment.
Bendtech (Qld) and Handrail Industries (Vic) are the only manufacturers in Australia of stainless steel and CU+ tube for grabrails and handrails.
A number of these companies were involved in Australia’s first “Copper Hospital” with the installation of a range of Anitmicrobial Copper surfaces and products at Sandringham Hospital in Melbourne, including Victorian based, SureCare, who supplied the 300 metres of copper/nickel grab rails.
For more information visit antimicrobialcopper.com