Impact of antimicrobial copper surfaces on microbial load and healthcare-acquired infection rates in long-term care settings: A comparative study in British Columbia, Canada

ABSTRACT: Background: Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) pose significant challenges in healthcare facilities. Although antimicrobial copper surfaces have shown promise in reducing environmental microbial contamination, their effectiveness specifically in long-term care (LTC) homes remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of antimicrobial copper surfaces on microbial load and HAI rates in the LTC home setting.