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.

中文翻译：

---

铜用于预防老年人长期护理设施中卫生保健相关感染的爆发

目的 我们旨在通过比较在长期设施（疗养院）中配备与未配备铜表面的地区爆发期间的发病率，研究铜作为抗菌剂的功效。设计 在疗养院进行的前瞻性观察试点研究。设置和参与者 2015 年 2 月 1 日至 2016 年 6 月 30 日住在兰斯大学医院疗养院的所有人员。方法 在研究期间发生的暴发期间，对配备了铜表面的机翼和未配备铜表面的机翼进行了卫生保健相关感染的发生率比较。结果表示为相对风险 (RR) 和 95% 置信区间 (95% CI)。结果 研究期间，共纳入556名居民；平均年龄为 85.4 ± 9。2 年，76% 是女性。研究期间发生了四次暴发：1 次流感、1 次角膜结膜炎和 2 次胃肠炎暴发。在配备铜表面的区域，手传播的医疗保健相关感染的风险显着降低（RR 0.3，95% CI 0.1-0.5）。结论和意义 在我们的研究中，铜被证明可以降低手传播的医疗保健相关感染的发生率，并且可以代表一种相对简单的措施来帮助预防疗养院中的 HAI。