House for sick SC patients gets copper fixtures

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The Ronald McDonald House in Charleston is installing hundreds of thousands of dollars in copper fixtures as a way to cut down on infection.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the work follows a study last year at the Medical University of South Carolina that found that copper surfaces help reduce the spread of infections. The study found that copper surfaces in intensive care hospital rooms had 97 percent less bacteria than other surfaces.

The Ronald McDonald house has 27 rooms where seriously ill children and their families can stay.

The house is installing about $400,000 worth of cooper sinks, faucets, handrails, cabinet handles and tables.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com