Antimicrobial copper surfaces in new hospital tower

VANCOUVER – Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and Teck Resource announced that Teck has made a $750,000 donation towards the development of the new Paul Myers Tower at Vancouver Coastal Health’s Lions Gate Hospital. This contribution, funded by Teck through its Copper & Health program, will include the installation of antimicrobial copper surfaces and equipment throughout the new high-tech acute-care facility.

Copper has unique antimicrobial properties and is proven to continuously eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria and is an added measure that will help protect the health of patients, health workers and all those who visit the new facility.

The new six-storey medical centre will have 108 patient beds, eight new operating rooms, a pre- and post- operative unit and a medical device reprocessing unit. The development of the Paul Myers Tower will result in reduced wait times for surgeries, optimized surgical outcomes and faster recovery times.

Teck’s donation will contribute to replacing aging infrastructure and incorporating innovation, including installation of antimicrobial copper surfaces such as door handles, railings, countertops, light switches, IV poles, bed rails and other high-touch surfaces throughout the acute care facility.

To highlight the use of antimicrobial copper and educate patients, healthcare workers and visitors, Teck and Lions Gate Hospital Foundation have installed an augmented reality experience in the main atrium of the North Shore Hospital. The interactive installation will showcase the innovative use of antimicrobial copper surfaces in a typical hospital room and engage participants with key facts and benefits.

“Teck is proud to partner with Lions Gate Hospital to support better health outcomes for British Columbians through our Copper & Health program. The installation of antimicrobial copper surfaces in the new Paul Myers Tower acute care facility will provide an additional layer of protection for patients, healthcare workers, visitors and the public at Lions Gate Hospital for years to come,” said Don Lindsay (pictured), president and CEO of Teck.

This donation builds on the existing usage of antimicrobial copper at Lions Gate Hospital, which includes the installation of antimicrobial copper surfaces throughout the hospital’s Emergency Department and in the High Acuity Unit, which is currently under construction.

“Teck’s forward-thinking donation toward our historical $100 million campaign will support our efforts to ensure that the new Paul Myers Tower will be a state-of-the-art high-tech healthcare facility in British Columbia when it opens in 2024,” said Judy Savage, president & CEO of Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.

This donation is the latest in a series of contributions from Teck to make hospitals even safer across B.C., which includes St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital and Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. Research has shown that every year approximately 200,000 patients in Canada contract infections in a healthcare setting and copper’s antimicrobial properties are a proven tool to help minimize this risk.

About Teck’s Copper & Health Program
Through its Copper & Health program, Teck is working with partners across Canada and beyond to increase the use of copper-infused surfaces in healthcare and public spaces to reduce the spread of infections. When installed on high touch surfaces, copper is a proven killer of bacteria, reducing the spread of infection and improving health outcomes. There is no commercial benefit to Teck from the increased use of antimicrobial copper as the amount of metal needed is very small; the goal of the program is to improve health and safety for communities. For more information about the role of antimicrobial copper, the Copper & Health program, and other examples of copper in action, please visit www.coppersaveslives.com.

About Teck
As one of Canada’s leading mining companies, Teck is committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, zinc, and steelmaking coal, as well as investments in energy assets. Copper, zinc and high-quality steelmaking coal are required for the transition to a low-carbon world. Headquartered in Vancouver, Teck’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TECK.A and TECK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TECK. Learn more about Teck at www.teck.com.

About Lions Gate Hospital Foundation
Established in 1987, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm of the hospital. In the past eight years, the Foundation has raised more than $224 million to support the purchase of new medical equipment, facility upgrades, staff education and research. Successful projects include raising $104 million to build the new high-tech Paul Myers Tower; $10 million to fund a new high acuity unit which will open early in 2022 and the opening of The HOpe Centre, the $26.5 million facility that has transformed the provision of youth and adult mental health services on the North Shore.

About Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is responsible for the delivery of $4.1 billion in community, hospital and long-term care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. VCH also provides specialized care and services for people throughout B.C.