by Brianna Crandall — September 23, 2013—Hospital facilities professionals may be interested to learn that the Copper Development Association, the market development, engineering and information services arm of the copper industry, has issued a challenge to simply tell the organization how they would use antimicrobial copper products to fight the bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections, and their hospital could be awarded a $20,000 grant.
The Copper Development Association is offering this grant through its Antimicrobial Copper Patient Safety Challenge so that any hospital that wins the grant can purchase antimicrobial copper products. The group is offering a free, live, one-hour Webinar on Thursday, September 26 at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) to provide more information on the opportunity.
The Challenge registration site offers a short video introducing the benefits of copper touch surfaces in reducing hospital-acquired infections. According to the site, touch surfaces made from antimicrobial copper (EPA Registered copper and copper alloys) have been scientifically proven to kill the disease-causing bacteria that create unhealthy healthcare environments. The site says that all copper is inherently antimicrobial This means that frequently touched surfaces—such as door knobs, bed railings, grab bars and equipment carts—can now kill bacteria continuously between cleanings, therefore, supplementing infection control practices.
