Hypothesis

The research will validate that the introduction of copper touch surfaces in the hospital environment will reduce the levels of harmful microbes; that reducing the levels of dangerous microbes will improve clinical outcomes; and that the antimicrobial effects of copper will reduce the spread of dangerous microbes and their transmission from inanimate touch surfaces to humans.

The Copper Touch Surfaces Program will test the following hypotheses in order to validate that the results observed from prior testing for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Southampton, UK, are relevant in a clinical environment by demonstrating that:

• HYPOTHESIS 1: The introduction of copper touch surfaces in the hospital environment will reduce the levels of harmful microbes.
• HYPOTHESIS 2: Reduction (or "debulking") of the bioload in the hospital environment of dangerous microbes will improve clinical outcomes.
• HYPOTHESIS 3: The antimicrobial effects of copper will augment the CDC recommended Infection Control Program practices and thus reduce the spread of dangerous microbes and their transmission from inanimate touch surfaces to humans.