Copper for the Prevention of Outbreaks of Health Care-Associated Infections in a Long-term Care Facility for Older Adults

Objective: We aimed to study the efficacy of copper as an antimicrobial agent by comparing incidence rates during outbreaks in areas equipped vs not equipped with copper surfaces in a long-term facility for dependent older adults (nursing home).

Design: Prospective observational pilot study in a nursing home.

Setting and participant: All persons resident in the nursing home belonging to Reims University Hospital, from February 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, were included.

Methods: Incidence rates for health care-related infections during outbreaks occurring during the study period were compared between the wing that was equipped and the wing that was not equipped with copper surfaces. Results are expressed as relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: During the study period, 556 residents were included; average age was 85.4 ± 9.2 years, and 76% were women. Four outbreaks occurred during the study period: 1 influenza, 1 keratoconjunctivitis, and 2 gastroenteritis outbreaks. The risk of hand-transmitted health care-associated infection was significantly lower in the area equipped with copper surfaces (RR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.5).

Conclusions and implications: In our study, copper was shown to reduce the incidence of hand-transmitted health care-associated infections and could represent a relatively simple measure to help prevent HAIs in nursing homes.