Ohio Hospital Group Orders 25K Reusable Antimicrobial Masks

In a recently announced collaboration, University Hospitals in Cleveland has agreed to acquire 25,000 copper-infused face masks for use in its system to help alleviate a critical shortage of surgical masks needed to protect patients and staff from infection by the COVID-19 virus, according to a news release.

The masks, supplied by Cupron Inc., Richmond, VA, are patented and proven in clinically validated studies to reduce mask contamination, especially against various micro-organisms. United Hospital staff will supply the masks to caregivers who aren’t working with COVID-19 patients in order to free up more hard-to-obtain surgical and N95 masks for healthcare staff who are working with patients who have the virus. “UH is one of the first health systems in the country to be allotted a shipment of this innovative product,” said Daniel I. Simon, MD, UH chief clinical and scientific officer and president, UH Cleveland Medical Center. “This copper-infused fabric has been clinically validated to reduce the spread of hospital-acquired infections such as C. Diff and MRSA. In utilizing the 25,000 Cupron masks for caregivers who are not treating COVID-19 positive patients, we can free up use of the harder-to-obtain surgical masks and in some cases N95 masks.”

Cupron’s proprietary and patented copper technology is blended into the material’s fiber at a specific concentration, similar to inserting other additives, ensuring that their technology remains embedded for the life of the product, the release said. Even when repeatedly subjected to the industrial laundering process with high temperatures, high pH values, long cycles and harsh chemicals, Cupron technology remains effective, thus making these reusable masks a viable solution for caregivers amid the current shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Click here for details.