![]() In Sweden, hospitals are universally recommended against using curtains. Sygehus became the shining example of full adoption as the first hospital in Denmark to replace all its curtains with Silentia folding screens in every department. Then, in 2015, as part of an effort to combat hospital infections, Nykøbing F. In 2014, Glostrup Hospital, now called Rigshospitalet Glostrup, installed more than 100 hygienic Silentia folding screens in 11 wards. Feedback showed that the screens were an overall improvement to care and the health care team decided to implement them as a permanent solution. The evaluation consisted of a range of performance categories, including hygiene, functionality, stability and durability. ![]() In 2012, Odense University Hospital performed a trial that tested Silentia folding privacy screens against textile curtains. As a result, textile curtains in patient rooms are no longer recommended and Danish regulations now encourage all new or renovated hospitals to use hard surface patient privacy screens. difficile, Acinetobacter, norovirus, and mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Danish health authorities, who refer to curtains as “reservoirs of infection,” have developed documentation as a standard for hospitals that outlines the hygiene issues with curtains, including possible contamination by people who have been colonized or infected with microorganisms, including MRSA, VRE, c. These contaminated surfaces undermine the efforts to control HAIs.ĭenmark has emerged as Europe’s leader in the shift away from hospital curtains. Of the 43 contaminated curtains, 21% were positive for MRSA, 42% were infected with VRE.Īdditionally, the American Journal of Infection Control reported a study that found that 37% of hospitals facilities launder privacy curtains only when they are visibly soiled. Forty-one of 43 (95%) curtains were contaminated at least once. Twelve of 13 curtains (92%) of the curtains showed contamination within one week. They conducted a three-week study of patient privacy curtains where swabs were taken on the curtains’ leading-edge twice weekly. The National Institute of Health released a report discussing curtains as a potentially important site of bacterial contamination in hospitals. Privacy curtains are a pathogen breading ground As a result, the direct cost to US hospitals from HAI transmissions ranges up to $45 billion. ![]() hospital patients were diagnosed with at least one hospital-related infection, and that between 20, there were significant increases in VRE (35%), CLABSI (24%), MRSA (15%). The CDC’s Winnable Battles Report, shows that 1 in 25 U.S. According to data from the American Hospital Association, there are 6,090 hospitals in the US, which see a total of 36,241,815 admissions per year. The US hospital system is one of the largest in the world and continues to grow, and hospital data and infection rates reveal obvious room for improvement. Infection rates reveal plenty of room for improvement Fortunately, hospitals in the US can learn from the examples being set in Europe and elsewhere around the world, where more modern healthcare systems are implementing alternatives to curtains to adapt and protect their patients. This comes at a cost, both financially and in loss of life, as it puts patients and staff at unnecessary risk. In the US, when it comes to high-touch surfaces and cleaning protocols, cloth curtains often get overlooked. Globally, there is a growing effort by hospitals to combat HAIs by eliminating cloth curtains and replace them with solid-surface solutions. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are an ever-present risk in hospitals and can be caused by contaminated surfaces around the patient room, including privacy curtains.
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