This comprehensive program is believed to be the world’s largest hospital evaluation to-date of antimicrobial-protected materials, with the goal of combating the spread of pathogens that are known to contribute to healthcare infections. Cupron-Enhanced EOS Surfaces and Cupron-enhanced textiles will be evaluated at multiple sites, including a new 250-bed acute care facility, to assess the improvement of patient outcomes and the reduction of healthcare costs.

This large-scale program will include the installation of more than 15,000 horizontal square feet of patent-pending Cupron-Enhanced EOS Surfaces. The antimicrobial hard surfaces will be installed on virtually all clinical and patient room surfaces. Anti-odor textiles manufactured by the Encompass Group will be used for patient bed linens, patient gowns and other textiles.

The trial will initiate this April at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, followed by a large-scale study that will take place at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Va., where a series of acute care towers are now under construction. The first “Cupron-enhanced” units are slated to open in Q4 2013. The existing acute care tower without any Cupron-enhanced surfaces or textiles will serve as the comparative. Additional studies are planned for various long-term care facilities and outpatient centers.

“Sentara is pleased to become the first large-scale deployment of these advanced antimicrobial materials,” said Dr. Gene Burke, vice president of Clinical Effectiveness for Sentara. “Over the years, Sentara has implemented many advanced practices in an effort to minimize hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) at our facilities and we believe that new technologies, such as the Cupron-enhanced materials, have the potential to create another layer of protection in this very important effort.”

Sentara has received national recognition in recent years for its efforts to improve patient care and reduce infections. National quality leaders such as VHA have blueprinted Sentara practices at reducing, and in some cases, eliminating ventilator-associated pneumonia. In addition, Sentara hospitals have been recognized for work in its ICUs to reduce central line blood stream infections and urinary tract infections.

“We are increasingly realizing that there are processes and technologies that are effective at reducing and possibly eliminating some of these infections once believed to be an inevitable part of the healthcare experience,” Burke added.

“Approximately seven million people worldwide acquire a hospital-acquired infection each year,” said Paul Rocheleau, chairman of Cupron.  “Despite aggressive monitoring, hand washing campaigns and other infection control measures, HAI rates, especially those caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens, are unacceptably high worldwide and in the United States. The Sentara program, supported by EOS Surfaces and Encompass Group, will hopefully be one of the first steps to define a new level of patient care.”

In the United States, HAIs account for nearly 1.7 million infections and 100,000 deaths each year.  A 2009 CDC study estimates the annual direct costs of HAIs between $35.7 billion and $45 billion.

“We have worked diligently with Cupron in developing this new product and are excited to test its clinical effectiveness and monitor the hopeful difference it can make in a healthcare environment,” said Ken Trinder, CEO of EOS Surfaces. “The timing of the Sentara program was fortuitous as we have made a major investment in new manufacturing capabilities, and are rapidly building the network of companies that will play important roles in fabricating countertops, lavatories, furniture and other products that utilize the Cupron-enhanced EOS materials.”

A small-scale clinical trial with Cupron-enhanced textiles in Israel resulted in significant positive outcomes for chronically ill patients, adding further evidence of the role textiles may have in supporting pathogen transmission. Also, Cupron-Enhanced EOS Surfaces recently received US EPA Public Health registrations to certify the efficacy, durability and ability to continuously kill a range of pathogens.  Cupron expects to receive additional public health registrations during 2013.

The use of textiles and hard surfaces containing copper may not only significantly contribute to the reduction of hospital infections, but may also help protect other environments where bacterial pathogens may colonize and contribute to infections such as assisted living facilities, offices and public institutions.

About Sentara Healthcare

Sentara Healthcare is an acknowledged leader in patient safety and quality innovation. Founded in 1888 as the Retreat for the Sick in Norfolk, Virginia, Sentara has ranked for more than a decade among the nation’s top integrated healthcare systems by Modern Healthcare magazine and was selected at the nations  #1 most integrated health care system for two years consecutively in 2010 and 2011.  Sentara, a not-for-profit health system, operates more than 100 sites of care serving residents across Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.  The system is comprised of 10 acute care hospitals, including seven in Hampton Roads, one in Northern Virginia, and two in the Blue Ridge region, advanced imaging centers, nursing and assisted-living centers, outpatient campuses, a home health and hospice agency, a 3,680-provider medical staff, and three medical groups with 618 providers.  Sentara also offers medical transport ambulances and Nightingale, the first air ambulance serving Hampton Roads. Optima Health, an award winning Sentara owned health plan, serves more than 450,000 members in Virginia.

About Cupron

Cupron Inc., founded in 2000, is a private, global company based in Richmond, Va., with an office in Herzliya, Israel.  The Cupron technologies provide unique benefits and properties to a broad range of products in diverse markets applications.  Cupron is working with world-class partners in the consumer, medical, industrial and military arenas to help them enhance their products and solve some of the life’s larger health and lifestyle issues.

Cupron is a technology company that is continually researching novel methods to deliver the unique antimicrobial and health properties of copper, and integrates various copper compounds into textiles, solid products and other polymeric materials products during manufacturing.  These copper infused polymers are embedded into the material, transforming it into an antimicrobial product that can provide protection against a broad range of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.  For more information, visit www.cupron.com.

About EOS Surfaces

EOS Surfaces, LLC is a solid surface manufacturer, founded in 2005, which revolutionized the solid surface industry with the first 3cm surface, a change that reduced manufacturing costs and installation costs for these advanced non-porous surfaces.  The product received the International Solid Surface Fabricators Association’s (ISSFA) 2007 Envision Award, honoring the year’s most innovative product.

EOS Surfaces also offers GEOS, an environmentally friendly option that is comprised of recycled glass and carried by Home Depot and other National Distributors.  Its latest product, Cupron Enhanced EOS developed together with Cupron is the industry’s first EPA-registered, copper-infused hard surface that is approved to make Public Health Claims regarding its antimicrobial capabilities. Health care organizations, architects, health care design consultants or distributors interested in Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces can contact EOS Surfaces at 800-719-EOS1. For more information, visit www.eos-surfaces.com.

About Encompass Group

Encompass Group, LLC (McDonough, GA) is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of reusable textiles, professional apparel, and disposable and single‐use medical products.  For nearly a century, Encompass has been helping health‐care and hospitality organizations create safe and comfortable environments for patients, staff, residents and guests.  By focusing on innovation, product knowledge and customer service, Encompass strives to always meet the needs of its clients and surpass their expectations.

Its people and services, combined with comprehensive distribution and manufacturing facilities, allow Encompass Group to offer customers the broadest spectrum of textile‐related solutions in the health care marketplace today.  For more information, contact Encompass Group at info@encompassgroup.net or (800) 245‐4636.  Visit us at encompassgroup.net.

The approval is based on Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces’ ability to kill specific disease causing bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (O157:H7). MRSA is one of the most common strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a well-recognized cause of health care-acquired infections (HAIs). The two companies expect this material to help health care organizations and infection control specialists manage HAIs. The product is approved for use in a wide range of applications, including health care.

“The EPA’s approval of our public health claims surrounding Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces is a pivotal moment in not only the commercialization of our technology, but also how health care facilities combat hospital infections,” said Paul Rocheleau, chairman of Cupron.  “HAIs have a devastating effect on the health care environment, causing thousands of deaths and costing billions of dollars each year. While we fully acknowledge our surface won’t end this problem, we believe these innovative materials will provide an additional layer of protection in managing the risks associated with microbial control.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates HAIs affect 2 million individuals and result in about 100,000 deaths annually. The use of antimicrobial materials for frequently touched surfaces may be an effective supplement to existing CDC-prescribed hand-washing and disinfection regimens.

In order to submit these claims to the EPA, the surface first had to achieve a 100-percent pass rate of thousands of samples at an independent testing laboratory under the highest laboratory standards available. The samples were tested in various environmental conditions, cleaning protocols, and for  efficacy after repeated exposure. EOS Surfaces also performed extensive ASTM testing to support mechanical performance claims.

Specifically, the following statements are included in the EPA registration:

• “This surface continuously reduces bacterial* contamination achieving a 99.9% reduction within two hours of exposure.”
• “This surface kills greater than 99.9% of Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria* within two hours of exposure.”
• “This surface kills greater than 99.9% of bacteria* within two hours and continues to kill 99% of bacteria* even after repeated contamination.”
• “This surface helps inhibit the buildup and growth of bacteria* within two hours of exposure between routine cleaning and sanitizing steps.”

*Testing demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048), Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-ATCC 33592), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35150) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442).

“This approval affirms what we’ve known for a while, that our surface has the potential to make a real impact with infection rates among hospitals and other health care institutions,” said Ken Trinder, CEO of EOS Surfaces. “Our next goal is to establish a network of distributors, fabricators and end-use partners to get these materials in the field so that it can begin saving lives, keeping people healthier and reducing costs. The EOS Surfaces are designed to be used for countertops, nurses’ stations, wall panels and building components, showers and lavatory fixtures, furniture and tables, and a broad range of other products.”

Cupron and EOS Surfaces will set up a product stewardship program to support the responsible use of the technology and obtain feedback from users of the surface. Cupron and EOS, together with various health care partners, will further evaluate the benefit of antimicrobial-protected surfaces (hard surfaces and textiles) in reducing the amount of disease-causing bacteria in medical facilities.

Cupron and EOS Surfaces jointly developed this material with a range of performance characteristics that provides the mechanical properties of non-porous solid surfaces, the aesthetics for design flexibility and high antimicrobial performance. Because the Cupron technology is embedded throughout the surface, it will not lose its effectiveness over time and wear-and-tear. In fact, it can be fabricated, polished and modified as needed.

Furthermore, EOS is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Norfolk, Virginia for the large-scale manufacturing of Cupron Enhanced EOS. The new facility, expected to begin operation in early 2013, will have specialized equipment that has been designed to commercialize the proprietary technology for a range of products. The new plant will manufacture various thicknesses of Cupron Enhanced EOS cast slabs, perform finishing operations, and will have the capability to manufacture pre-made vanities and other ancillary surfacing products for microbial control.

Health care organizations, architects, health care design consultants or distributors interested in Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces can contact EOS Surfaces at 800-719-EOS1 or email at kgt@eos-surfaces.com

The use of the Antimicrobial Cupron Enhanced EOS Surface is a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices, including those practices related to cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. The Antimicrobial Cupron Enhanced EOS Surface has been shown to reduce microbial contamination but it does not necessarily prevent cross contamination.

About Cupron:

Cupron Inc., founded in 2000, is a private, global company based in Richmond, Va., with an office in Herzliya, Israel. Cupron provides the unique benefits and properties of its technology to a broad range of global applications, and works with world-class partners in the consumer, medical, industrial and military arenas to help them solve some of the life’s larger health and lifestyle issues.

Cupron is a platform technology that utilizes the qualities of copper oxide and integrates the copper compounds into textiles, solid products and other polymeric materials products during manufacturing. These copper infused polymers are embedded into the material, transforming it into an antimicrobial product that can provide protection against a broad range of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. For more information, visit www.cupron.com.

Printable Version of Press Release: Click Here

Southern CA

Block Tops, Inc. specializes in the custom design, fabrication and installation of high-end stone, wood and solid surface products. They service many sectors of the marketplace including home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling, residential new construction, commercial, institutional and hospitality.

Block Tops’ GĒOS territories include all of Southern California. EOS Surfaces is thrilled to continue to reach our customers across the US with the addition of such a great company. For further information, please visit http://eos-surfaces.com or http://www.blocktops.com/.

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by Eleanor Kennedy

August 20, 2012

Imagine a countertop that kills infection-causing bacteria and viruses on its own — forever.

That’s what Richmond-based Cupron Inc. and Norfolk-based EOS Surfaces say they have developed.

Copper ions, the core of Cupron’s technology, fight bacterial and viral cells. According to the company, surfaces and fabrics using the Cupron technology will maintain their microbe-fighting power forever.

Rocheleau and Trinder said they are waiting for final approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to market the health-promoting claims. But they say all 14,000 samples they presented to the agency “passed very easily.”

“We are expecting to get formal certification within the next couple of months,” Rocheleau said.

The goal, he said, is to implement the germ-cleaning countertop technology in medical centers across the country. Doing so will help prevent hospital-acquired infections and germs, a major health issue worldwide.

“What we’re trying to do is, frankly, to stop the pathogens in their tracks,” Rocheleau said.

Both executives hope to sell the countertops to businesses in the hospitality industry, including hotels and restaurants.

Trinder said the partnership’s focus is twofold: They want to make money, but they also want to promote health.

“We also feel like this can be very impactful,” he said, “and keep some people healthy that would otherwise have gotten sick.”

Read Entire Article: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2012/aug/20/tdmbiz08-richmond-firm-helps-develop-germ-killing–ar-2141773/?referer=None&shorturl=http://bit.ly/TOEnOZ

August 9, 2012 By Eleanor Kennedy

Imagine a countertop that kills infection-causing viruses and bacteria on its own, forever.

That’s what Richmond-based Cupron and Norfolk-based EOS Surfaces say they’ve developed.

Cupron, a 10-year-old company that relocated from Israel to Richmond three years ago and has offices in the Virginia BioTech Park downtown, has been working with copper ion-based, anti-microbial technology for years, but they’ve mostly dealt with fabrics. About two years ago, the company decided to start developing anti-microbial hard surfaces.

“We had to call upon a partner who worked with hard surfaces,” said Paul Rocheleau, chairman of Cupron.

Teaming up with EOS made it possible for Cupron to expand its technology into other products, like the new self-cleaning countertop.

“We had the experience to figure out how to incorporate this into a polymer-based hard surface, and they had the experience and the vision to see the big picture,” said Ken Trinder, chief executive officer at EOS.

The two companies, working together, developed hundreds of prototypes over the past two years. Rocheleau said the countertop just finished six months of testing at an offshore hospital, and the company is currently working with several Virginia medical centers.

Rocheleau declined to disclose the names of the testing sites, but said there’s a lot of interest in testing and demonstrating the countertop’s effectiveness.

For complete article: http://workitrichmond.com/2012/08/09/self-cleaning-countertop-science-fiction/

by Larry Beresford

New technology that infuses a copper oxide into hard surfaces or fabrics in order to boost infection control could soon become a major weapon in hospitals, according to the CEOs of two Virginia companies now developing such technologies.

Cupron (http://www.cupron.com/), based in Richmond, Va., provides the infusion of a proprietary copper oxide compound into such hard surfaces as flooring, countertops, building components, and furniture, and into fabrics such as gowns, uniforms, and linens, says company chairman Paul Rocheleau. Cupron is partnering with EOS Surfaces (http://eos-surfaces.com/cupron/), based in Portsmouth, Va., a developer of solid countertop surfaces, which company president Ken Trinder says are thicker than comparable building products.

Together, the companies are seeking approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to market these products with registrations for their public health claims of preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The products recently were tested against Staphylococcus and Enterobacter bacteria, with 99.9% effectiveness in killing organisms, Rocheleau says.

“It is well known that copper has the ability to kill pathogens,” he adds. “What’s new are the methods to deliver that technology.”

For Complete Article: http://www.the-hospitalist.org/details/article/2360111/New_Infection-Control_Weapons_Emerge.html