Disposable biocidal cubical curtains: can they prevent the transfer of bacterial pathogens?

BackgroundPotentially harmful bacteria have been shown to contaminate traditional cloth cubical curtains. Health care-associated bacteria may, therefore, have the potential to be transmitted from curtains to patients via the hands of health care workers, especially if hand hygiene is not adequate. Over the past few years disposable biocidal curtains have become available which can offer antimicrobial capabilities, less frequent changes, as well as cost savings on laundering.MethodsMicrobial testing was undertaken on two types of disposable polypropylene curtains: one coated with the biostatic agent didecyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride and the other coated with polysiloxane. Samples were inoculated with Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), as well as a toxin-producing Clostridium difficile (containing spores). Finger imprints and curtain impressions were made on agar after 1 day, 10 days, 1 month and 2 months.ResultsBoth types of curtains showed similar results. Gram-negative bacteria did not grow after 1 day but S. aureus and E. faecalis could be detected at 10 days with no growth thereafter. However, C. difficile persisted up to 2 months post sample contamination, most likely due to the persistence of spores.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that biocide-treated disposable curtains eliminated or reduced the number of hand-transferred bacteria tested; however, spore-forming C. difficile persisted for long periods of time in the environment. Therefore, newer biocide-treated disposable curtains need to contain sporicidal formulations in order to control contamination by this nosocomial pathogen.