Dear Member

Following a busy year disseminating the latest science on antimicrobial copper at numerous conferences, exhibitions and seminars, we are now witnessing a real move from 'the bench to the bedside' as specifiers start to include copper touch surfaces in their hospital refurbishment projects.

At the most recent conference attended, IHEEM/Healthcare Estates 09, Mark Tur delivered a presentation 'Practical Aspects of Reducing Bioburden With Copper: Selly Oak Hospital Case Study', now available as a publication. Feedback from this event is that there is growing awareness of copper as an additional defence in the war on germs and that architects and estates teams are beginning to specify antimicrobial copper touch surfaces as an infection control measure.

Recognition of the compelling body of scientific evidence on antimicrobial copper was reinforced at a recent joint Department of Health and the Association of British Healthcare Industries HCAI Technology Innovation Conference. Nigel Tomlinson, the Department of Health's Principal Scientific Advisor, included copper efficacy data in his presentation 'Routes of infection - can technologies reduce transmission efficiently?'.

In this issue:

Supply Chain Mobilises to Meet Demand

First Copper Clinic Combines Art with Science

Copper Hat Trick in Journal of Hospital Infection

Mark Barker, Regional Director of architectural partnership Race Cottam Associates, talked about his experience of trying to source copper products for hospital refurbishment at our supply chain meeting at the BRE Innovation Campus in Watford. Mark highlighted the need for colour-matching ranges of products, including those that aren't necessarily touched. He also called for clear product information on manufacturers' websites to help specifiers readily identify antimicrobial copper products.

The global interest in antimicrobial copper products was highlighted by a presentation from the Director of the Hellenic Copper Development Institute who requested support from UK manufacturers of door hardware and taps to enable Greek importers to supply to their national market in accordance with new hospital specifications.

Following the presentations, many delegates resolved to enhance their websites with a stronger antimicrobial message. Many said they will also promote new lines of uncoated copper alloy products and develop supporting brochures. These will go to help those wishing to adopt antimicrobial copper technology to find the products they need for new builds and refurbishments.

See presentations

First Copper Clinic Combines Art with Science

In Japan, the Ochiai Clinic for fever patients has undergone an antimicrobial copper fit-out including brass wall and worktop cladding and door furniture. Inspired by Carlo Scarpa, a famous Italian Designer known for his work with metal, and copper's antimicrobial properties, Ken Takahashi, the avant garde architect-designer, combined art with science in his design concept - exploiting the inherent bug-killing properties of a warm, golden copper alloy.

The science in support of copper's antimicrobial efficacy is ongoing, as evidenced by the release of three papers in the Journal of Hospital Infection. Publisher Elsevier has issued a press release highlighting these exciting studies, one on the first results of the Selly Oak Trial, the similarly compelling results from a trial carried out in a primary healthcare facility in the Western Cape, South Africa, and one concerning a copper-based disinfectant being used alongside microfibre mops in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.