The dirty curtain story

We recently began a study of microbial contamination of hospital privacy curtains (a study funded by one of several manufacturers of an antimicrobial fabric). The comparative study is ongoing, but the “baseline” sampling confirmed what Curtis Donskey’s group has already described: hospital privacy curtains are often contaminated with bacterial pathogens (the main additional findings from our study have to do with how quickly the curtains become contaminated (spoiler alert: very quickly), and how some organisms persist on curtains over time). Figuring the results might generate some interest among a few attendees, and perhaps spark some useful discussion of this and other environmental infection control issues, we decided to submit the baseline data to ICAAC. We had yet to learn this valuable lesson:

Never underestimate the media’s fascination with the presence of bacteria on inanimate objects.

Stethoscopes, ties, white coats, rings, cell phones, you name it. If you want media attention, grab some swabs, head up to your nearest patient care unit, and find some new object to culture! By Friday after ICAAC, the story had been picked up by CBS News, Reuters Health, Fox News, etc., etc. (I can’t bother with all the links, just type “privacy curtain” into Google News). It has turned into a minor annoyance, as we seek to put these findings into perspective in our own hospital, and navigate the obvious conflict-of-interest inherent in managing the findings of a study sponsored by an industry that has a vested interest in the outcome.

So, what are the implications of this study? Most importantly, consider privacy curtains to be like any other high-touch surface in the patient environment, and perform hand hygiene after contact with the curtain. This can be a real challenge in an ICU environment that doesn’t have private rooms, so other approaches seem wise as well: more frequent cleaning/changing of curtains (in most hospitals they are changed only when visibly soiled), use of a “pull rod” or other plastic object to allow one to pull the curtain around without touching the fabric (the plastic surface can be more easily disinfected), or use of other barriers (e.g. glass doors that turn opaque). There’s a burgeoning interest in antimicrobial fabrics (not just for this purpose, but for healthcare worker clothing, etc.), and these may also play a role. Finally, Mike’s prior posts on single patient rooms are pertinent—well-designed private rooms can obviate the need for frequent use of privacy curtains.