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Shik Luk et al


Fig. 1. Rates of recovery of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) by curtain type and MDRO history within the previous 12 months. MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; CRA, carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter spp; MDRA, multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. For MRSA, broth enrichment cultures were not performed.


Fig. 2. Nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation survival estimates for interval-censored time to first MDRO contamination, comparing antimicrobial curtain A, antimicrobial curtain B, and the standard curtain. MDROs, multidrug-resistant organisms.


for up to 6 months.15 Our laboratory’s previous experience (unpublished data) with antimicrobial curtain A (impregnated with silver fibers) indicated that it had moderate antibacterial activity for up to 3 months. Nevertheless, compared to standard curtain with a median in-use time of 15 days, antimicrobial curtain A failed to demonstrate antibacterial efficacy after extended use (median hanging time, 60 days), which was indi- cated by significantly increased (P<.001) total aerobic count (TAC), MRSA count, and MDRA count, similar percentages of MDRO contamination, and similar median time to first con- tamination by MDROs (4 days). Our findings underscore the importance of verifying the efficacy of such products in a clinical setting. The laboratory validation reports provided by manu- facturers might not account for organic matter contamination.


The issue is further complicated by publication bias. Therefore, healthcare professionals should be cautious when placing pro- ducts with build-in antimicrobial properties into clinical use. The other agents impregnated in the curtains were QAC and polyorganosiloxane (a repellent negatively charged silicone). The biostatic and biocidal properties prevent bacteria from penetrat- ing or multiplying on the curtain. Excellent antimicrobial activ- ities, in terms of zone of inhibition and contact inhibition, against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, Candida albicans and C. difficile spores were achieved up to 24 months in an in vitro study.16 In this study, antimicrobial curtain B (QAC plus poly- organosiloxane) was highly effective in reducing the bioburden (TAC and counts of MRSA, CRA, and MDRA) and percentages of MDRO contamination (MRSA, −23.5%; CRA, −22%; MDRA,


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