Hospital curtains hide germs

Hospital privacy curtains protect patients and afford some privacy but recent evidence shows that they are also an infection risk. A 2014 study by Nottingham University Hospital researchers is the first to describe an outbreak of invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) infection involving hospital curtains as a potential source of infection. The outburst began when two laryngeal cancer patients on an ENT ward developed invasive GAS infection. Researchers discovered that 10 out of 34 patient curtains on the ward were contaminated with an identical GAS strain. The study found that the GAS pathogens were likely to have contaminated the curtains through “direct droplet spread and contact with contaminated hands.” “Curtains are often the only item around a patient’s bed space area that isn’t routinely removed for laundering”, explains Tim Bowell, consultant microbiologist and member of the Nottingham research. He also says that his trust is considering how to minimise the risks : “We have re-visited the frequency of curtain laundering , but no firm decision has been made. There are alternatives to consider, such as disposable curtains, and wipeable, cleanable privacy screen.”

“This is a clear reminder of the importance of fundamental infection control practices such as hand hygiene before contact with patents and thorough cleaning after outbreaks or clusters of infections,” warns a Royal College of Nursing adviser on infection prevention and control. A different 2014 report* described how spraying with an improved hydrogen peroxide solution reduced the microbial load on the curtains in 37 patient rooms by 96.8%.

Source : George Winter, Nursing Standard, July 16, vol 28 no 46, 2014