Abstract
Copper-impregnated surfaces and linens have been shown to reduce infections and multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) acquisition in healthcare settings. However, retrospective analyses of copper linen deployment at a 40-bed long-term acute-care hospital demonstrated no significant reduction in incidences of healthcare facility-onset Clostridium difficile infection or MDRO acquisition.
Highlights
“No touch” measures, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor or ultraviolet light for enhanced terminal room cleaning have been shown to improve disinfection and reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs); these strategies are time and labor intensive and can only be employed in unoccupied rooms.[3]
Copper linens were associated with significantly higher rates of healthcare facility-onset Clostridium difficile infection (HO-CDI) (P = .023) and total HOMDRO acquisition (P = .001)
Our data do not suggest a beneficial effect of bed/bath copper linens for reducing HO-CDI or HOMDRO acquisition
Summary
“No touch” measures, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor or ultraviolet light for enhanced terminal room cleaning have been shown to improve disinfection and reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs); these strategies are time and labor intensive and can only be employed in unoccupied rooms.[3]. Copper has broad microbicidal activity including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, in addition to the vegetative and, with reduced potency, spore forms of C. difficile.[2,3] Deployment of copper surfaces has been shown to reduce MDRO colonization of hospital surfaces.[2] Limited clinical evidence suggests that copper surfaces and/or linens may reduce HAIs among intensive care unit (ICU) patients (copper surfaces only),[4] among non-ICU inpatients (surfaces and linens),[5] and at a long-term care facility (linens only).[6] We hypothesized that implementing copper linens in a long-term acute-care hospital (LTACH) would reduce incidence of healthcare facility-onset Clostridium difficile infection (HO-CDI) and MDRO acquisition. Effect of copper-impregnated linens on multidrug-resistant organism acquisition and Clostridium difficile infection at a longterm acute-care hospital.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
