Ronald McDonald House Unveils Antimicrobial Copper Touch Surfaces
The Ronald McDonald House of Charleston, USA, (RMHC) has
unveiled an unprecedented renovation featuring Antimicrobial Copper
- a material capable of killing germs, viruses and bacteria on
contact - to further protect the health of the vulnerable children
and families it serves.
17th February 2012
The extensive renovation, which makes RMHC the first non-profit
temporary residence facility in the United States to undertake an
Antimicrobial Copper retrofit, has replaced steel, wood and plastic
touch surfaces with solid, copper-based metals like brass and
bronze. Many high-traffic surfaces were converted, including: stair
handrails, sinks, taps, tables, locksets, cabinet pulls and chair
arms.
RMHC leaders and copper industry experts revealed the new look
at a private ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 16th,
attended by local business and civic leaders, current and former
RMHC guests, and others. RMHC is the "home-away-from-home" for
families of children from across the Southeast who are being
treated at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
The Medical University of South Carolina measured the amount of
bacteria on the previous touch surfaces prior to the copper
retrofit, and will compare the amount of bacteria on the new copper
surfaces against their predecessors, with results scheduled for
release in the third quarter of 2012.
In October 2011, results of a multi-site clinical trial of
Antimicrobial Copper demonstrated that patients treated in
Intensive Care Unit rooms with select Antimicrobial Copper surfaces
had fewer healthcare-associated infections. The copper
surfaces also had 97% fewer bacteria compared to standard
healthcare surfaces made from plastic or steel. The dramatic
results of this study suggest that reducing the amount of bacteria
in the patient's environment can significantly lower their risk of
infection.
"When we learned about copper's proven antimicrobial properties,
we were anxious to be the first Ronald McDonald House to test the
touch surfaces. I hope our results will help spur a public
health trend toward the use of antimicrobial copper materials,"
said Barbara Bond - executive director, Ronald McDonald House of
Charleston. "It has been an honour to work with the copper
manufacturers and installers who donated time and materials in
helping us to make our facility even safer for our guests and their
children," she added.
"This practical application of Antimicrobial Copper will provide
a strong 'real world' example that will give the American public a
clear understanding of the public health benefits of copper
materials not only in a healthcare setting, but also in hotels,
restaurants and other public gathering places," said Dr. Michael
Schmidt, professor and vice chair of the Department of Microbiology
and Immunology at MUSC, and lead investigator on the multi-site
study.
Initial discussions about the project began in 2010, and the
Antimicrobial Copper installations started in the third quarter of
2011. The facility remained open throughout the retrofit project,
allowing RMHC to continue providing much-needed services with
limited disruption.
For more information about copper's antimicrobial properties and
installations from around the world, visit www.antimicrobialcopper.org.
Download press release (with images) - [56
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For further information and high-res images please contact:
Bryony Samuel
Communications Officer
Copper Development Association
5 Grovelands Business Centre
Boundary Way
Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 7TE
Tel: 01442 275705, Fax: 01442 275716
Email: bryony.samuel@copperdev.org.uk
Websites: www.copperinfo.co.uk and www.antimicrobialcopper.org