Sentara expands use of copper-infused products in its hospitals

Sentara Healthcare is expanding to a third hospital a clinical trial of antimicrobial products used to fight hospital-acquired infections.

Test materials produced by Richmond-based Cupron Inc. – including cooper-infused bed linens, patient gowns and towels — will be used at Sentara CarePlex in Hampton beginning Sunday.

Cupron also provided linens used in studies at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk.

Sentara Leigh also has used copper-infused, self-sanitizing hard surfaces from Cupron’s  partner, Norfolk-based EOS Surfaces.

“While the studies at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and Sentara Leigh Hospital are still ongoing, we’ve seen enough progress that we felt it warranted further analysis,” Dr. Gene Burke, Sentara’s vice president of clinical effectiveness, said in a statement.

Cupron has developed ways to isolate copper particles that can be embedded in a variety of materials.

When it opens in April, Sentara Leigh Hospital’s West Tower will be completely outfitted with copper-infused materials from Cupron and EOS Surfaces, including countertops, over-the-bed tables, bed rails, and textiles ranging from bed linens to patients gowns.