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[Copper] does this by leaching electrons from bacteria, which causes a charge to build up inside the cell which ultimately leads to free radical formation and cell death. Many studies have now shows that the microbial burden on copper surfaces is reduced by 80% compared to traditional surfaces. When used on frequently touched surfaces in hospitals, this can significantly reduce the amount of bacteria hanging around. Another study showed that the total reduction in bacteria from a copper alloy surface was 99.9% (compared to baseline, not to control surfaces). In controlled studies, copper surfaces work as advertised – they kill bacteria and viruses.
But does this actually reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections (HAIs, also called health care associated infections)? The answer is yes. A 2017 systematic review of studies found that introducing copper surface in the hospital reduced HAIs by 25%.
[...] This will require a significant investment by hospitals – replacing beds, serving trays, tables, rails, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces. [...] The estimated cost of the most common HAIs is around $10 billion per year in the US. This cost is often absorbed by the hospital. This is because reimbursement for hospital stays is often determined by DRGs – diagnostic related groups. Hospitals are paid by insurance companies based upon the patient's diagnosis. If a patient is admitted for pneumonia, the hospital gets paid a fixed amount which represents the average cost of treating pneumonia. If the patient does well and is discharged quickly, the hospital makes money. If they do not do well and have complications and a prolonged stay, the hospital loses money. This provides a good financial incentive for hospitals to provide efficient and effective care, and minimize complications.
Previously:
(2020-07-19) Laser-Textured Metal Surfaces Kill Bacteria Faster
(Score: 2, Insightful) by fakefuck39 on Saturday August 01 2020, @12:48AM (1 child)
this is correct. copper oxide does not conduct electricity.
thankfully, we're trying to kill microbes, not conduct electricity. and copper oxide kills microbes the same as copper. the polishing is because people like things pretty and shiny. so hospitals clean them and wear them continuously, at high cost. then get rid of them completely because of this cost, exposing us to infection.
doctors are science-smart. hospital administrators are dumb greedy unethical corporate america - just like in any other corporation. they want cash, they don't care if it kills you.
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Saturday August 01 2020, @02:07PM
The explanation as to why copper was effective implied that it was the electrical conductivity that was the effective method. This implies that a non-conductive surface would stop working. Now perhaps the explanation was wrong, but if not, then it needed to be kept polished.
OTOH, that same explanation would seem to imply that stainless steel would work. Perhaps not quite as well because it isn't quite as conductive, but it wouldn't need to be polished.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.