by Brianna Crandall — December 4, 2017 — The University of Louisville Hospital’s Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, in combination with UofL’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center, is the latest hospital facility — and first in the “Kentuckiana” region — to use CuVerro bactericidal copper as part of an overall strategy to control infections. Copper is a known antimicrobial material and has been shown to reduce bacteria loads on high-touch surfaces by 99.9%, says CuVerro.
CuVerro copper sink at University of Louisville Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. (Photo: Business Wire)
CuVerro’s director of Commercial Solutions Kon John noted that the installation at UofL is another proof point for manufacturers interested in helping their clients make a difference. John stated:
CuVerro copper is a game-changing opportunity for manufacturers looking for growth in the health industry — or anywhere else where bacteria are an issue. CuVerro continuously kills bacteria that can cause infections, and when copper fixtures are part of an infection-control strategy, there is no question that high-touch surfaces carry substantially lower bacteria loads. This presents a great opportunity for both hospitals, manufacturers, and most importantly, patients.
UofL Hospital and its architects recognized the benefits of using copper in the unit’s recent renovation. Virtually every fixture in the facility touched by human hands is made of the antimicrobial metal: patient room sinks, bathroom sinks, faucets, door hardware, cabinetry hardware and shower safety grab bars.
Several CuVerro affiliate manufacturers were a part of this project, including Just Manufacturing, Trimco, Rocky Mountain Hardware, and Seachrome.
Louisville-headquartered CuVerro notes that the UofL project was an all-Louisville effort, with the University partnering with JRA Architects of Louisville. The team worked together to develop a plan to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Nationally, 1 in 25 inpatients acquires an infection in hospitals or other health-care facilities, points out the company.
According to UofL Hospital Chief Medical Officer Jason Smith, M.D., Ph.D.:
HAIs can happen in any health care facility, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, long-term care facilities and others. They are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses or other less common pathogens. The new systems installed at UofL Hospital will have a significant impact in reducing the incidence of HAIs.
For more information about how CuVerro bactericidal copper works, visit the company’s Web site.
CuVerro is manufactured by GBC Metals LLC, doing business as Olin Brass, a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper Inc., which is a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper Holdings Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of copper, copper‐alloy and bactericidal copper sheet, strip, plate, foil, rod, ingot and fabricated components.
