P368: The economic assessment of an environmental intervention: discrete deployment of copper for infection control in ICUs

Health Economics evaluations are typically applied to medications or surgery costs, but this unique study has investigated the economic benefits of discrete deployment of antimicrobial copper alloy touch surfaces in ICUs. Copper/copper alloy surfaces have been shown to act as an adjunct to standard infection control practices in diverse clinical settings, continuously reducing contamination by over 90%. Moreover, work reported by Dr Michael Schmidt at the first ICPIC revealed the link between reduced bioburden and significant reductions in the risk of acquiring an HCAI. This study investigates the cost-effectiveness of this intervention, comparing expenditure with the improvements in patient outcomes and other tangible benefits.