INF ECTION P R EVENTION


ceramics.15


When studying coronavirus


on copper alloys, it was found the virus demonstrated rapid inactivation.16 Despite the evident need for novel technologies in the aim of preventing AMR and infection, the use of AMCs has not accelerated at a rate that would be expected. The 2019/2020 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines does not refer to the use of AMCs within HCAI management.17 An issue that has been highlighted by the work of AMiCI, is that despite numerous AMC innovations and products, the majority relate to industries and applications separate from healthcare. Therefore, in order to change the perceptions of those within the medical industry and provide education and information surrounding the use of AMCs and their potential to impact HCAIs and AMR, further research is required to be undertaken in order to assess their safe and effective use within the healthcare setting.10 It is also important to note the disparity in regulations surrounding healthcare and non- healthcare industries, and therefore more stringent development, testing and regulation may be required in order to implement AMCs into regular infection control programmes. Other factors that will be necessary in assessing the viability of AMCs within healthcare include: chemical and biological activity mediating the antimicrobial effect, manufacturing challenges, how to incorporate AMC technology within clinical settings, potential environmental impact, their potential to promote AMR, their incremental benefits and their economic viability.


Conclusions


While there is current and emerging research into the use of AMCs not only in the healthcare industry but additionally in the wider industry (such as transportation, construction and hospitality), more work needs to be done. The lack of understanding surrounding AMCs reveals that more needs to be done in order to educate people to understand the benefits that AMCs possess. The utilisation of AMCs within the healthcare industry as part of an infection prevention programme has the potential to reduce HCAIs and to improve patient outcomes. Outbreaks of bacterial, viral or fungal pathogens alongside increasing AMR and HCAIs pose an international threat to public health. It would therefore be prudent to further investigate the use of AMCs, in order to fully assess their capabilities to benefit public health. Further investigations would need to include in-depth clinical studies promoting safe end-use of AMC products, backed up with robust regulatory guidance. These trials would need to be made accessible to clinical, commercial and academic stakeholders who have an interest in brining AMC products


AUGUST 2021


to market within the healthcare sector. An inability to provide this information will hinder the accessibility of AMCs for use within the healthcare industry.


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2 Plachouras, D., Kärki, T., Hansen, S., Hopkins, S., Lyytikäinen, O., Moro, M.L., Reilly, J., Zarb, P., Zingg, W., Kinross, P. and Weist, K., 2018. Antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals: results from the second point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use, 2016 to 2017. Eurosurveillance, 23(46), p.1800393.


3 Ahonen, M., Kahru, A., Ivask, A., Kasemets, K., Kõljalg, S., Mantecca, P., Vinković Vrček, I., Keinänen-Toivola, M.M. and Crijns, F., 2017. Proactive approach for safe use of antimicrobial coatings in healthcare settings: opinion of the COST action network AMiCI. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(4), p.366.


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6 Chen, X., Hirt, H., Li, Y., Gorr, S.U. and Aparicio, C., 2014. Antimicrobial GL13K peptide coatings killed and ruptured the wall of Streptococcus gordonii and prevented formation and growth of biofilms. PLoS One, 9(11), p.e111579.


7 Dizaj, S.M., Lotfipour, F., Barzegar-Jalali, M., Zarrintan, M.H. and Adibkia, K., 2014. Antimicrobial activity of the metals and metal oxide nanoparticles. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 44, pp.278-284.


8 Hochwimmer, A. and de Kretser, S., 2015. Safety by design processes for the engineering of geothermal facilities. Safety, 19, p.25.


9 AMiCI. (2020) Anti-Microbial Coating Innovations to prevent infectious disease: a consensus view from the AMiCI COST Action [Online]. AMiCI. Available from: Anti-Microbial Coating Innovations to prevent infectious disease: a consensus view from the AMiCI COST Action | AMICI - Innovative coating solutions to prevent infectious diseases (lifescience.pl)


10 Dunne, C.P., Askew, P.D., Papadopoulos, T., Gouveia, I.C., Ahonen, M., Modic, M., Azevedo, N.F., Schulte, S., Cosemans, P., Kahru, A. and Murzyn, K., 2020. Antimicrobial coating innovations to prevent infectious disease: a consensus view from the AMiCl COST Action. Journal of Hospital Infection, 105(2), pp.116-118.


11 Montero, D.A., Arellano, C., Pardo, M., Vera, WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM l 43 About the author


Jade Pallett is currently a microbiologist and technical adviser for Zoono UK & Europe, joining the company in 2020. She has previously worked in diagnostic and environmental microbiology and has a passion for infection control and prevention. She is currently studying for an MSc in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases which finishes this summer.


CSJ


R., Gálvez, R., Cifuentes, M., Berasain, M.A., Gómez, M., Ramírez, C. and Vidal, R.M., 2019. Antimicrobial properties of a novel copper-based composite coating with potential for use in healthcare facilities. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 8(1), pp.1-10.


12 Sifri, C.D., Burke, G.H. and Enfield, K.B., 2016. Reduced healthcare-associated infections in an acute care community hospital using a combination of self-disinfecting copper-impregnated composite hard surfaces and linens. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(12), pp.1565-1571.


13 O’Connor, C., Powell, J., Finnegan, C., O’gorman, A., Barrett, S., Hopkins, K.L., Pichon, B., Hill, R., Power, L., Woodford, N. and Coffey, J.C., 2015. Incidence, management and outcomes of the first cfr-mediated linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis outbreak in a tertiary referral centre in the Republic of Ireland. Journal of Hospital Infection, 90(4), pp.316-321.


14 Crijns, F.R., Keinänen-Toivola, M.M. and Dunne, C.P., 2017. Anti-microbial coating innovations to prevent healthcare-associated infection.


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17 WHO. (2021) Infection Prevention and Control [Online]. WHO. Available from: WHO’s Infection prevention & control department


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