A comparative study to evaluate surface microbial contamination associated with copper-containing and stainless steel pens used by nurses in the critical care unit

Anna L Casey; Tarja J Karpanen; Debra Adams; Peter A Lambert; Peter Nightingale; Lisa Miruszenko; Tom S J Elliott

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2010.12.012

A comparative study to evaluate surface microbial contamination associated with copper-containing and stainless steel pens used by nurses in the critical care unit

Am J Infect Control. 2011 Oct;39(8):e52-e54. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.12.012. Epub 2011 Jun 12.

Authors

Anna L Casey¹, Tarja J Karpanen¹, Debra Adams¹, Peter A Lambert², Peter Nightingale¹, Lisa Miruszenko¹, Tom S J Elliott³

Affiliations

¹ University Hospitals Birmingham, National Health Service Foundation Trust, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
² Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
³ University Hospitals Birmingham, National Health Service Foundation Trust, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital,. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 21664004
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.12.012

Abstract

A clinical study was undertaken to compare the surface microbial contamination associated with pens constructed of either a copper alloy or stainless steel used by nurses on intensive care units. A significantly lower level of microbial contamination was found on the copper alloy pens.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Alloys
Colony Count, Microbial
Copper / chemistry*
Equipment Contamination*
Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / microbiology*
Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
Gram-Positive Cocci / isolation & purification
Handwriting*
Humans
Intensive Care Units / supply & distribution*
Nurses
Stainless Steel*
Surface Properties

Substances

Alloys
Stainless Steel
Copper