Building confidence in a world of constant virus outbreak headlines
It’s hard to miss the headlines. The news cycle continues to keep respiratory infections in focus. Whether it’s a new COVID-19 strain being presented as the next major threat, constant concerns about future outbreaks, a recurrence of RSV or measles cases being reported in certain regions – as we move through seasonal shifts and increased healthcare demands, the news doesn’t stop.
For those working in clinical environments, this ongoing attention is both a reminder of the challenges we’ve faced and a signal to remain steady in the fundamentals: protecting patients, staff, and visitors with reliable infection control.
The truth is, after the 2020 pandemic, we’re unlikely to see a time when viruses and infectious threats disappear from the news altogether. However, what matters more is how we respond – not in fear, but in readiness.
Taking clear, practical precautions
Infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals know better than anyone that fear doesn’t protect people – excellent systems do. In high-risk settings like hospitals and healthcare environments, those protection systems must include visible, high-touch points where barriers really matter.
Hospital Curtains are one of those points. They can easily become a hidden route for pathogen transmission if not managed properly. After all, they are frequently being touched by staff, visitors and patients all day long.
That’s why Endurocide® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains are purposefully designed to be a reliable, effective and long-term partner in your ward’s infection control system. They help reduce cross-contamination in clinical spaces, supporting patient safety and giving staff confidence in day-to-day operations. Once installed, they can remain in place for up to two years, providing a passive but powerful barrier that integrates seamlessly into your IPC strategy. They’ve also been long-term tested in real-world hospital settings, so you can trust they don’t just perform in the lab – they work where you do.
Not all viruses are equal, but many share common ground
A lot of the viruses currently making the headlines – including influenza, human coronavirus, and measles – fall into the category of enveloped viruses. These viruses are surrounded by a lipid membrane, which can make them generally easier to inactivate than other types of pathogens.
This is where a hierarchy-based approach to infection control matters. While it’s not possible to test every product against every emerging virus or individual strain, industry best practice is to instead prove efficacy against a high-level surrogate that represents the broader group. If the product is effective against a harder-to-kill pathogen, it is often assumed that it should be effective against easier-to-kill pathogens.
The liquid used to impregnate Endurocide® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains has been tested and shown to be effective against Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA), a robust surrogate often used for all enveloped viruses. This can give healthcare professionals confidence in the curtain’s ability to help against of a wide range of both known and emerging threats.
In addition, the same liquid has proven effectiveness against human coronavirus, H1N1 (swine flu), and measles. The Curtain has also been tested against more than 25 additional pathogens, including spores, bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria – further supporting their critical role in a multi-layered infection prevention and control plan.
Resilient protection in a changing landscape
We understand the concern when new virus variants are reported – especially if you’ve seen first-hand the pressure of surges in admissions or the scramble to source protective supplies.
However, not every virus story signals a crisis, many are part of the expected evolution of respiratory viruses and reflect better surveillance, not necessarily higher risk.
Instead of focusing on the ever-changing news cycles, a more sustainable approach is to review your infection control layers and ensure they’re consistent, effective and aligned with current best practice. You can quickly assess the products you’re using by asking:
- Does this product deliver consistent, proven results in real-word settings?
- Does it perform its role without adding to my workload?
- Is it in line with current best practice and effective against known and emerging threats?
Endurocide® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains can provide an immediate, cost-effective improvement to your IPC protocols – whether you’re planning a full refurb or just seeking to upgrade a single ward.
Keeping healthcare spaces calm, clean and protected
We’re not here to add to the noise. Our role is to quietly support those working in infection control with quality products that do what they say they’ll do and keep doing it, day in and day out.
As public awareness of infection risks increases, so does the responsibility on professionals. We’re here to work alongside you, offering solutions designed to meet the needs of the environments and people you serve every day.
| If you’d like to discuss how Endurocide® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains, or any of our other infection control products can support your mission, we’re here to help.
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