Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles will use a federal grant to study how the use of copper could help reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
The researchers will rely on a $2.5 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. For the clinical trial, two intensive care units at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center will be outfitted with either copper, sham stainless steel or conventional surfaces such as plastic or other types of coatings. Over a four-year period, all three surface types will be sampled for bacteria levels, and patient-infection outcomes rates will be compared among the three surfaces.
In addition to the study, the researchers will conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis.
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The researchers will rely on a $2.5 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. For the clinical trial, two intensive care units at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center will be outfitted with either copper, sham stainless steel or conventional surfaces such as plastic or other types of coatings. Over a four-year period, all three surface types will be sampled for bacteria levels, and patient-infection outcomes rates will be compared among the three surfaces.
In addition to the study, the researchers will conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis.
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