Did you know that copper is used as an antimicrobial agent in hospitals and health care settings? This study even found that copper hospital beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) kill bacteria and only harbored 95% fewer bacteria compared to conventional hospital beds.
Therefore, it's not surprising that copper surfaces had a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic. In modern medical applications, copper is used in various devices including pacemakers, surgical tools, catheters and even dental and orthodontic devices.
Copper's Antimicrobial Properties And Its Uses In Healthcare
Why Is Copper Used In Hospitals
Studies such as this have found that solid copper surfaces are effective as antimicrobials in vitro, killing 99.9% of microorganisms within 2 hours of contact. It is precisely copper's oligodynamic effect, which entails the release of copper ions that penetrate the cell membrane of bacteria. This results in the death of microorganisms such as bacteria and germs.
This advantage of copper makes it a great element or surface to render healthcare settings and hospitals sterile and safe.
According to this article, copper has long been known for its antimicrobial properties for centuries. This includes the use of copper-coated hard and soft surfaces to reduce microbial contamination and the reduction of HAIs(Healthcare Associated Infections).
Is Copper Used In Medical Devices?
Yes. Copper has its utility in various healthcare applications, especially in obstetrics and gynecology. This study looked at how copper's antimicrobial properties helps to reduce Healthcare Associated Infections(HAIs) significantly, which is becoming a major public health challenge all around the world.
In Europe, HAIs have an overall prevalence rate of 7.1% and over 4.1 million affected patients. In the emergency department, more than half of patients suffer from HAIs, resulting in 16 million extra days of hospitalization and a cost estimate of 7 billion euros. HAIs also contribute to 37,000 deaths and are a factor in an additional 110,000 deaths. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA and VRE, has made managing HAIs more challenging.
The antimicrobial spectrum of copper in hospitals includes the following:
- Copper has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms that cause HAIs
- On top of that, copper has also been shown to be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA or VRE
- Last but not least, copper-impregnated dressings have also been studied and found to be effective in reducing microorganisms such as S. aureus and K. pneumoniae
Copper Used In Modern Medical Applications
- Needles, scalpels, scissors, surgical trays and various other medical tools for medical operations
- Wound dressings
- Hospital beds in the ICU
- Bed railings, door knobs and handles in hospitals
- I.V. Poles
You might also like:
- 5 Copper Traditions Around The World That Are Still Relevant Today
- Copper's Oligodynamic Effects And Your Health
Source:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655323000810
https://asm.org/press-releases/2019/november-1/copper-hospital-beds-kill-bacteria,-save-lives
https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(23)00081-0/fulltext#:~:text=Solid%20copper%20surfaces%20have%20been,within%20two%20hours%20of%20contact.&text=41.&text=The%20antimicrobial%20action%20of%20copper,the%20death%20of%20the%20microorganisms.
https://www.bindasmalgeneraltrading.com/use-of-copper-products-in-the-healthcare-industry/
https://sterlitecopper.com/blog/2019/02/14/copper-in-hospitals-medical-industry/
