Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Va., has been using copper-infused linens to fight infections as part of a study of copper's effectiveness, according to an article on The Virginian-Pilot website.
When Sentara built a new tower at Sentara Leigh Hospital four, the products were installed in 124 patient rooms.
The study compared infections of those patients in 2014 to a control group in a 1970s-era wing of the hospital.
Dr. Gene Burke, medical director for clinical effectiveness of Sentara, said the results were positive enough that the health system added the linens, countertops and bed rails to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, Sentara CarePlex in Hampton and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, along with an assisted-living center on Newtown Road in Norfolk.
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