Hong Kong Report: Joint Universities & Government evaluation

   Effectiveness of antimicrobial curtains on reducing bacterial contamination

To download a copy of this report, click or tap here.

Summary:

An independent study carried out jointly by hospitals and government health departments in Hong Kong evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy and cost benefits of two types of disposable curtain compared with traditional fabric curtains – one with built-in silver additives alongside Endurocide^® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains.

This study, published in the Journal of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, included twice-weekly and weekly culture samples collected from 12 rooms and 10 cubicles across 10 hospitals over 12 months, totalling in over 3000 samples. It evaluated both bioburden and hanging times of all three types – and the results came out strongly in favour of the Endurocide^® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains.

Contamination detected on curtains after:

Its findings included:

• Compared with standard curtains, Endurocide^® Curtains were “highly effective in reducing the bioburden” and “percentages of MDRO [multidrug-resistant organisms] contamination were also significantly lower” (98-100% reductions) – “even after prolonged use.”
• Silver-additive curtains had higher levels of bioburden and MDRO contamination than Endurocide^® Curtains with the differences stated as being “significant.”
• Standard curtains became contaminated “within 5 days” - Endurocide^® Curtains took 27.6 times longer at 138 days; silver curtains were contaminated after only 4 days.
• Silver-additive curtains have “moderate antibacterial activity for up to 3 months” but “fail to demonstrate antibacterial efficacy after extended use.”

Percentage of contamination detected in this period:

The report concluded:

• “Curtains that resist MDRO contamination for >19 weeks […] could potentially improve patient safety by eliminating a source of healthcare-associated pathogens.”
• Endurocide^® Curtains “did effectively reduce the microbial burden and MDRO contamination compared with the standard curtain, even after extended use in an active clinical setting” - “but not antimicrobial curtain A (built-in silver)”.
• Using Endurocide^® Curtains in place of standard curtains “could avert the costs related to curtain changing, laundering, and revenue loss, in addition to improving patient care by removing an environmental source of MDROs.”

To download a copy of this report, click or tap here.