Evaluation of the Utilisation of Copper Within a Clinical Environment

  • Lisa Miruszenko

Student thesis: Master's ThesisMaster of Philosophy

Abstract

The antimicrobial properties of copper have been demonstrated in laboratory
investigations. In this study the role of copper in reducing environmental
microbial contamination in a busy clinical environment was evaluated. A
clinical study which involved a cross-over decision compared three items
made from copper to standard clinical NHS items. These included a push
plate on a door,a toilet seat and a hot and cold water tap attached to a hand
wash basin. The study was designed to assessthe efficacy of the copper
containing items in reducing environmental microbial contamination. It was
clearly demonstrated that the copper had the facility, even in a busyclinical
environment to reduce surface microbial contamination. This could have
implications for the prevention of spread ofinfection in the clinical area.

The opinion of both staff and patients regarding the use of the copper items
and application was also determined by questionnaire. The results
demonstrated that both staff and patients noticed a difference between the
copper containing items as compared to standard hospital equipment.
However, within two months they treated the copper containing items no
differently from the standard equipment. This suggested that the view point
of both staff and patients when the study was carried out should not have
interfered or influenced the study or the results.

The final section of this study was a laboratory investigation into the
antimicrobial activity of copper against staphylococci. Various laboratory
methods were used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the copper and in
particular to answer the question whether or not copper resistant
microorganisms were appearing in a clinical environment during the clinical
trial. The results demonstrated that copper resistant microorganisms did not
emerge during the study.

A more comprehensive copper study has been designedto evaluate further
the antimicrobial activity of copper in fifteen different items held commonly in
hospitals. An outline of this study has been given with this thesis.
Date of AwardJun 2011
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Aston University

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