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 eliminating 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, PMX is pleased to introduce EPA registered MicroGuard™antimicrobial copper touch surfaces. The EPA has approved MicroGuard with public health claims that are based on extensive efficacy testing. MicroGuard touch surfaces are an ideal supplement to a multi-faceted approach to reduce hospital and community acquired infections. MicroGuard surfaces kill 99.9% of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria* including MRSA within two hours when cleaned regularly.

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 approved MicroGuard antimicrobial copper materials and component hardware for more than 100 touch surface applications in healthcare facilities. With society increasingly concerned about coming in contact with infectious bacteria in healthcare environments, hospitals that add MicroGuard touch surfaces to their infection prevention plan can 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 visible 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 and hardware 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).