Does the use of an antimicrobial disposable curtain reduce cleaning time, laundry costs and the rate of multiresistant organism transmission?
Davidson, Mandy, Carrucan, Janine, McLean, Kathleen, and Smyth, Wendy (2014) Does the use of an antimicrobial disposable curtain reduce cleaning time, laundry costs and the rate of multiresistant organism transmission? Annals of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, 15 (3). p. 57.
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Abstract
Background/Aims: A multimodal approach was required to manage a vancomycin-resistant enterococcus outbreak on an oncology ward in a tertiary hospital in north Queensland. One component of the approach was to trial antimicrobial disposable curtains, since it is known that cloth curtains harbor micro-organisms. The aim of this study was to trial antimicrobial disposable curtains in the oncology ward and a medical ward over a 12-month period from June 2012 to May 2013.
Methods: Disposable curtains were installed in June 2012. Samples were taken to test microbial growth at three, six, nine and 12 months. The 'control' was a sample curtain that had not been hung in a hospital ward.
Results: There was no growth of either methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or vancomycin-resistant enterococcus on any of the curtains. Since the trial, the disposable curtains have been installed in 17 inpatient and outpatient areas of the hospital. Not having to change curtains after an infectious patient is discharged saves 50 minutes, which equates to 1.65 full-time staff per annum. There has also been a $61,590 saving in laundry costs. However, the rate of multi-resistant organism colonization has increased slightly.
Conclusion: It is acknowledged that poor hand hygiene, poor cleaning practices and poor compliance with standard precautions also contribute to transmission of infections. However, this study has demonstrated that disposable curtains are a worthwhile tool to use in the complicated fight against multiresistant organism transmission.
| Item ID: | 35905 |
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| Item Type: | Article (Abstract) |
| ISSN: | 1448-4706 |
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| Date Deposited: | 29 Oct 2014 04:59 |
| FoR Codes: | 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100% |
| SEO Codes: | 92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 100% |
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