Grinnell Regional

In an effort to supplement infection prevention practices on their campus, GRMC installed products made from CuVerro® antimicrobial copper surfaces throughout the Ahrens Fitness Center.

On October 21st the GRMC celebrated the new Paul W. Ahrens Fitness Center with an open house celebration. Nearly 400 people attended the day-long event with a range of activities showcasing the new facility and its state of the art equipment and programs.

Todd Linden, GRMC President and CEO, was instrumental in outfitting the new facility with CuVerro. "I see CuVerro surfaces as a significant factor in creating cleaner healthcare and community environments" Linden says. "With a desire to be health conscious, the notion that creating an environment that's as free as possible from bacteria is what appealed to us. We believe it is important for the mission of the fitness center. CuVerro will be good for clients, the staff of the facility, and the community to live in as well."

A range of manufacturer affiliates, each expert in their field, worked closely in the development and installation of products manufactured from CuVerro® bactericidal touch surfaces throughout the Ahrens Fitness Center. Products made from CuVerro surface include free weights by Black Iron Strength, switch and outlet plates by Eaton, cabinet hardware by Colonial Bronze, and grab bars and faucet handles by Rocky Mountain Hardware.

*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, VRE, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices and have been shown to reduce microbial contamination, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination or infections; users must continue to follow all current infection control practices.