Copper for Hospital-Acquired Infections
In light of the study's encouraging findings, hospitalist and infectious-disease specialist James Pile, MD, FACP, SFHM, vice chair of the Department of Hospital Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, says that although study results appear valid, "it didn't provide any final answers."
"It would be premature for a hospital to install copper based on this study," he says, adding he didn't find the study results surprising, because copper is known to have antimicrobial properties.
But, Dr. Pile says, the study did provide proof of concept and opens the door for larger, more definitive studies that will show if installing copper in hospital rooms is worthwhile.
"If future studies confirm earlier results, then hospitals should seriously consider copper installations," he says.
Green Light?
In light of the study's encouraging findings, hospitalist and infectious-disease specialist James Pile, MD, FACP, SFHM, vice chair of the Department of Hospital Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, says that although study results appear valid, "it didn't provide any final answers."
"It would be premature for a hospital to install copper based on this study," he says, adding he didn't find the study results surprising, because copper is known to have antimicrobial properties.
But, Dr. Pile says, the study did provide proof of concept and opens the door for larger, more definitive studies that will show if installing copper in hospital rooms is worthwhile.
"If future studies confirm earlier results, then hospitals should seriously consider copper installations," he says.
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