Copper called safe, effective for infection control

Author responds to reader comments on an article in The Hospitalist about copper touch surfaces in hospitals


In a response to a letter to The Hospitalist magazine, author Harold Michels addressed concerns from a physician that implanted copper-nickel alloy devices have the potential for severe allergic reactions.

"Implanted devices are not part of the EPA-approved products list of antimicrobial copper and, therefore, are not being proposed for use in the fight against hospital infections," Michels wrote in an article on The Hospitalist website.

Referring to questions of copper tarnishing, Michels said copper alloys should be cleaned regularly — especially in hospitals. 

"But more importantly, the antimicrobial effect of this metal is not inhibited if the surfaces tarnish," Michels said.

Read the article.

 

 



April 17, 2014


Topic Area: Environmental Services


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