th PR938 issued 5 May 2015 Manufacturer Addresses Bed Rail Contamination Hospital bed rails are hot spots for dangerous bacteria, and manufacturer Schlosserei Röll GmbH is offering a new solution to address this problem: solid antimicrobial copper rails. Röll has developed a range of touch surface products for hospitals – including bed rails, IV poles, toilet flushes, door and window fittings, overbed tables and custom products – benefiting from the hygienic properties of copper, which can reduce microbial contamination by >80%, helping to reduce the risk of infection. Röll developed these products in response to demand from hygienists looking to bolster infection prevention and control, and their antimicrobial copper bed rails, IV poles and toilet flushes have recently been installed at Hagen General Hospital, where door furniture and light switches had already been replaced with antimicrobial copper products. Copper is a powerful antimicrobial with rapid, broad-spectrum efficacy against bacteria and viruses that cause hospital infections, such as MRSA and norovirus. It shares this benefit with a range of copper alloys – including brasses and bronzes – forming a family of materials collectively called ‘antimicrobial copper’. Touch surfaces made from solid antimicrobial copper are used by healthcare facilities around the world to help reduce the spread of infections such as MRSA. Röll is a small company established in 1964, traditionally offering specialised welding and metal processing, manufacture of door and window fittings, roofing products and assembly services. It + received approval to use the Cu mark on its antimicrobial copper range– in April 2015, becoming the latest company to sign up to the industry stewardship scheme. +, The Antimicrobial Copper brand and certification Mark, Cu are used by leading material suppliers and designers, specifiers and manufacturers of components and systems, to indicate their products and services employ Antimicrobial Copper. Their use by an organisation indicates permission to do so has been granted on behalf of International Copper Association, Ltd, based upon adherence to strict usage rules. To see all available products and services, visit the online product directories at www.antimicrobialcopper.org. Antimicrobial copper items installed at AKH Hagen. Courtesy of Schlosserei Röll GmbH. Copper Development Association 5 Grovelands Business Centre, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7TE, UK Phone: 01442 275705, Fax: 01442 275716, cda@copperalliance.org.uk, www.copperalliance.org.uk A Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England No 279742 VAT Registration No 231 7877 49 For further information and high-resolution images, contact: Name: Position: Telephone: Email: Website: Bryony Samuel Communications Officer 01442 275705 bryony.samuel@copperalliance.org.uk www.antimicrobialcopper.org