Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, UK, has installed new copper-coated patient beds to combat the issue of infection-spreading touch surfaces, according to an article on the Boston Standard website.

Michael Oko, ENT consultant and clinical lead, has championed the replacement of key high-touch surfaces, beginning with bed rails, cabinet handles, chair arms, hand rails, switches and taps. He wants to replace more items and roll out the copper upgrade throughout the hospital, the article said.

“Replacing the surfaces often touched by staff, patients and visitors will help reduce the risk of infections spreading. It can be used as an adjunct to other infection control measures — such as regular hand washing, surface cleaning and disinfecting — to improve patient safety,” Oko said in the article.

Results from a US clinical trial, funded by the Department of Defense, found a 58 percent reduction in intensive care unit patients’ risk of acquiring a healthcare-associated infection when six key touch surfaces in their rooms were replaced with antimicrobial copper items.

Read the article.