With passage of healthcare reform and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reducing reimbursement for preventable medical errors including some hospital acquired infections (HAIs), healthcare providers are challenged to adopt new approaches to reduce infections and their costs.

The CDC estimates that 80% of infections are transmitted by touch. Infectious bacteria can be found on many types of hospital surfaces even after cleaning. Research shows that even the best cleaning and disinfection efforts do not always reduce the microbial burden to benign levels.

Our hands are like Velcro; picking up and depositing pathogens each time something is touched. Microorganisms are transferred from touch surfaces to patients and healthcare workers and back to touch surfaces. Evidence based practices show that by reducing microbial burden* on high touch surfaces, you can decrease the transmission of infectious bacteria that cause HAIs.

After more than four years of research and development, we are pleased to offer our EPA registered MicroGuard™antimicrobial copper alloys. Review the technical data on the MicroGuard Antimicrobial Copper Alloy Guide. The EPA has registered MicroGuard with a public health claim that is based on extensive efficacy testing. MicroGuard touch surfaces are an ideal supplement to a multi-faceted approach to reduce hospital and community acquired infections. Clean MicroGuard surfaces kill 99.9% of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria* including MRSA within two hours of exposure.

While MicroGuard touch surfaces are not a substitute for good cleaning and disinfection practices, MicroGuard offers healthcare organizations an enormous competitive advantage. Unlike antimicrobial coatings or other additives, the antimicrobial efficacy of MicroGuard materials remains effective for the life of the product.

The EPA has registered MicroGuard antimicrobial copper for more than 100 touch surfaces in healthcare facilities. Hospitals that add MicroGuard touch surfaces to their infection prevention strategy certainly demonstrate higher levels of quality care and patient safety. MicroGuard reduces the build-up and growth of deadly bacteria* on touch surfaces in between routine cleaning.

MicroGuard touch surfaces are a difference that patients, visitors, and staff will appreciate. Available in a many attractive finishes and textures, MicroGuard materials can replace stainless steel and other commonly used metals in healthcare environments.

To add MicroGuard materials to your infection prevention and control plan, contact us or call 800-531-5268.

*Testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE).