Authors (including presenting author) :
Yim MY(1), Chau OT(1), Ng YM(1), Lam OY (1), Tsang SI (1), Hui KW (1), Fung SC(1), Chau KY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Infection Control Team, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Anti-microbial (AM) and sporicidal curtains are still new to the hospital industry. Yet, research showed that low numbers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and Clostridium difficile (CD) were detected in the sporicidal curtains (2) and the time required to become contaminated for AM curtains were longer than that of standard curtains (3). The trial use of AM curtain in the United Christian Hospital (UCH) was initiated by the hospital’s administrative department. It is proceeded to buy time to tackle the summer and winter surges, the shortage of outsourced workers, heavy manual handling operation and time involved for replacing the curtains. They can then trade off the manpower and other costs, in relation to curtain changing. The trial is based on the findings of the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) curtain study (2017) and take reference to ‘the HA Guideline on Environmental Decontamination in Clinical Areas’. 10.3.4 ‘Disposable curtain should not be used for routine patient care except under special circumstances when justified reason is available after consulting hospital infection control team.’
Objectives :
To explore the effectiveness of antimicrobial curtains against bacterial contamination.
Methodology :
The program was implemented from April to September 2018 and was launched in three acute medical wards. Samples were collected from the curtains for quantitative culture of MDROs. Eight samples were taken for culture per ward (1 sample per cubicle) at weekly interval for the first 3 months. The frequency was changed to monthly for the last 2 months because of manpower shortage and the culture results.
Result & Outcome :
This trial revealed that AM curtain might be effective against MDROs, except for drug-resistant Acinetobacter. Thus, regular monitoring of its effectiveness should be continued for future use. On the other hand, the longest time frame for conventional curtain replacement in clinical units is four weeks. In our trial, the average and median time of contamination by MDROs requiring removal was 145.7 days and 179 days for AM curtains. Therefore, the AM curtain extends the average life span of curtain by at least 385.7%. In addition, replacing conventional curtain with AM curtains is cost-effective, offering a 6% savings. Cost associated with laundering and curtain changing can be ward off. Other benefit includes faster turnover rate of bed. All these contribute to better hospital operations and patient care.
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