The silver lining of disposable sporicidal privacy curtains in an intensive care unit

Kotsanas, Despina; Wijesooriya, W.R.P.L.I.; Sloane, Tracy; Stuart, Rhonda L.; Gillespie, Elizabeth

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2013.11.013

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…[88][89][90][91] Silver and other metal-alloys have also been used in impregnated privacy curtains and other fabrics to decrease pathogen transmission. [88,92,93] While self-disinfecting surfaces were not addressed in this review, further research is needed to investigate their true efficacy and practical application in the hospital setting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols for hospital environmental surfaces: A systematic review of the literature

Taylor

Harris

2019

JHA

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Background: Healthcare associated infections are a leading cause of illness and death in the United States and across the world. Environmental surfaces are considered non-critical, although recent evidence suggests that the built environment may contribute to the transmission of pathogens. Ineffective cleaning and disinfecting of environmental non-critical surfaces may increase risk of transmitting nosocomial pathogens leading to hospital acquired infections among hospital patients.Objective: This systematic review identifies elements of cleaning and disinfecting protocols, synthesizing the evidence to evaluate cleaning protocols that effectively reduce surface contamination and minimize risk of hospital acquired illness.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted with a clearly formulated research question and systematic approach to identify publications, select relevant studies, critically appraise the research through analysis of reported data, and reported the results according to the Cochrane methodology.Results: In total, 245 studies were initially identified with 19 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Emerging categories include chemical application methods, chemical application time, cleaning type and frequency, and interventions for training and monitoring.Conclusions: Establishing adequate cleaning protocols for hospital environments is a complex process which requires consideration of multiple components including mechanical action, chemical application materials, types of cleaning, chemical contact times, education and training of EVS staff, cleaning monitoring and feedback, no-contact cleaning methods, and self-disinfecting surfaces. Recommendations for protocol development based on the study results are provided.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols for hospital environmental surfaces: A systematic review of the literature

Taylor

Harris

2019

JHA

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“…The biostatic and biocidal properties also prevent bacteria from penetrating or multiplying on the curtain.Testing followed the same methodology as previously, wherein zone of inhibition and contact inhibition was determined against a range of microorganisms (gram negative: extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and gram positive: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and coagulase-negative staphylococci), Candida albicans, and spores of Clostridium difficile. 6 Excellent results were achieved for both zone of inhibition and contact inhibition when tested at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months with no visible loss of activity (Fig 1).There were cost benefits for replacing standard fabric curtains with the newer formulation (Endurocide) sporicidal and antimicrobial curtains. The cost of laundering fabric curtains was AUS$4 per screen with a labor cost of AUS$10 to remove and rehang.…”

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confidence: 88%

Reply to Dikon in response to “A response to the relationship between different types of sharps containers and Clostridium difficile infection rates in acute care hospitals”

Pogorzelska-Maziarz

2016

American Journal of Infection Control

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We sought to test antimicrobial activity for 1 antimicrobial and sporicidal product (Endurocide, Aberdeenshire, Scotland), against a range of multiresistant microorganisms to establish activity for the claimed 24-month period. 7 These curtains are composed of nonwoven, extruded polypropylene with 0.5 mm thickness (100 gsm). They are impregnated with a blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides and polyorganosiloxane (a repellent negatively charged silicone) as well as being fire retardant. The biostatic and biocidal properties also prevent bacteria from penetrating or multiplying on the curtain.Testing followed the same methodology as previously, wherein zone of inhibition and contact inhibition was determined against a range of microorganisms (gram negative: extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and gram positive: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and coagulase-negative staphylococci), Candida albicans, and spores of Clostridium difficile. 6 Excellent results were achieved for both zone of inhibition and contact inhibition when tested at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months with no visible loss of activity (Fig 1).There were cost benefits for replacing standard fabric curtains with the newer formulation (Endurocide) sporicidal and antimicrobial curtains. The cost of laundering fabric curtains was AUS$4 per screen with a labor cost of AUS$10 to remove and rehang. Based on a routine schedule of 3 months this would mean 8 changes over 2 years at a total cost of AUS$112. If ad hoc changes were required due to patients discharged from contact precautions, then an additional cost of AUS$19 (due to extra setup requirements) would be incurred per episode. The disposable curtains cost AUS$45 to purchase and AUS$10 to hang for the 2-year duration, thus cutting the overall cost by more than 50%. In addition, the curtains provide sporicidal and antimicrobial protection to all patients, staff, and visitors accessing the patient area. Another advantage includes a safety advantage for staff members changing the curtains because they are only required to climb ladders once instead of 8 times during a 2-year period.The final consideration is the environment-related effect of transporting, washing, and reusing fabric curtains compared with the disposable polypropylene curtains that can be recycled via the plastic recycling stream.Our health service promotes the implementation of the new formulation Endurocide privacy curtains from both a cost-effectiveness and safety perspective.

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“…Further studies of the long-term antimicrobial potency, practicality and cost-effectiveness of copper-coated surfaces are needed. Privacy curtains impregnated with silver have been shown to reduce or delay contamination of curtains with potential pathogens [ 61 , 62 ].…”

Section: Self-disinfecting Surfacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals

Boyce¹

2016

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control

357

244

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Experts agree that careful cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces are essential elements of effective infection prevention programs. However, traditional manual cleaning and disinfection practices in hospitals are often suboptimal. This is often due in part to a variety of personnel issues that many Environmental Services departments encounter. Failure to follow manufacturer’s recommendations for disinfectant use and lack of antimicrobial activity of some disinfectants against healthcare-associated pathogens may also affect the efficacy of disinfection practices.Improved hydrogen peroxide-based liquid surface disinfectants and a combination product containing peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are effective alternatives to disinfectants currently in widespread use, and electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid) and cold atmospheric pressure plasma show potential for use in hospitals. Creating “self-disinfecting” surfaces by coating medical equipment with metals such as copper or silver, or applying liquid compounds that have persistent antimicrobial activity surfaces are additional strategies that require further investigation.Newer “no-touch” (automated) decontamination technologies include aerosol and vaporized hydrogen peroxide, mobile devices that emit continuous ultraviolet (UV-C) light, a pulsed-xenon UV light system, and use of high-intensity narrow-spectrum (405 nm) light. These “no-touch” technologies have been shown to reduce bacterial contamination of surfaces. A micro-condensation hydrogen peroxide system has been associated in multiple studies with reductions in healthcare-associated colonization or infection, while there is more limited evidence of infection reduction by the pulsed-xenon system. A recently completed prospective, randomized controlled trial of continuous UV-C light should help determine the extent to which this technology can reduce healthcare-associated colonization and infections.In conclusion, continued efforts to improve traditional manual disinfection of surfaces are needed. In addition, Environmental Services departments should consider the use of newer disinfectants and no-touch decontamination technologies to improve disinfection of surfaces in healthcare.

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The silver lining of disposable sporicidal privacy curtains in an intensive care unit

Cited by 18 publications

References 15 publications

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols for hospital environmental surfaces: A systematic review of the literature

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols for hospital environmental surfaces: A systematic review of the literature

Reply to Dikon in response to “A response to the relationship between different types of sharps containers and Clostridium difficile infection rates in acute care hospitals”

Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals

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