INFECTION CONTROL
Paper touchpoint locators at the top and bottom of the curtains will significantly reduce the volume of plastics used in Marlux’s supply process.
explain a little more about the benefits of integrated antimicrobial protection? Privacy curtains can harbour
microbes, and can be a potential source of spreading pathogens that can cause hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). However, since 2012, Marlux has partnered with Microban International, which developed an antimicrobial silver ion technology which, when added to curtains at the point of manufacture, eliminates up to 99.9999% of bacterial growth on the surface of the curtain for its lifetime.
What guidance is available to NHS Trusts on best practice in curtain changing? Appendix 2 of NHS England’s National standards of cleanliness 20211
provides
guidance based on a series of functional risk (FR) categories. These say that for most bedded areas in a hospital, curtains should be changed in accordance with the agreed curtain changing programme, or when visibly soiled, but either way it is recommended that they are changed every six months as a minimum. We know of several hospitals that adopt a more regular change cycle, particularly in High Acuity Units (HAU) or assessment areas. During the pandemic, some hospitals
‘‘
Curtainmelt is said to be the world’s first point-of-origin thermal compaction machine for recycling both contaminated and uncontaminated disposable privacy curtains.
were changing curtains between patient changeovers as part of the cleaning process. Either way, it is important that hospitals adopt a clear policy to ensure that curtain changes are carried out in accordance with the assessed risk. Furthermore, Appendix 7 of the NHS standard outlines the typical scenarios of the technical audit process that Trusts should undertake, one of which relates to curtains. The guidance makes it clear that curtains should be hung correctly, in date, and fully populated with hooks.
Why is it so important to hang the curtains correctly and ensure that all curtain hooks are used? The importance of correct curtain hanging can’t be overemphasised. We know from feedback that one of the key considerations for nursing staff is speed of curtain change but if – to speed up the time it takes to fit a curtain – only every second hook on a curtain is used, not only can this result in the curtain getting snagged because of the gaps in the pleats, but it also increases the likelihood of the curtain hanging down and touching the ward floor – which risks curtain contamination. We are aware that some manufacturers have designed disposable
Thermal Compaction Group launched Curtainmelt, said to be the world’s first point-of-origin thermal compaction machine for recycling both contaminated and uncontaminated disposable privacy curtains
52 Health Estate Journal March 2022
privacy curtains that only hook onto every second hook, but this is certainly not something we would advise. As a member of the Association of Healthcare Cleaning Professionals (AHCP), which was involved in developing the new national standards, our curtains have been designed for quick, easy, and correct installation. Our Fast-Fit system ensures that curtains can be easily taken down and replaced in less than three minutes, with all hooks fully populated. Our curtains also have a label affixed on the outside pleat, which is easily visible, and allows Facilities teams to identify curtains that are due to be changed, as well as reassure patients and visitors. All these steps ensure that our curtains adhere to the new national standards.
Is the fire retardancy of curtain material another key consideration for Trusts? Very much so. Hospital fire safety is
of paramount importance. Disposable privacy curtains should be fully compliant with BS 5867-2:2008 Type C, which is the British Standard covering fabrics for curtains, drapes, and window blinds. HTM 05-03 Part C Chapter 8 (Firecode) makes specific reference of the need to ensure that non-woven polypropylene materials are tested appropriately. Rather than rely on test results from our material supplier, at Marlux we get our curtains batch tested by IFS Laboratories, an independent UKAS test house, to ensure compliance with the standard. Our curtains are tested at every 5,000 linear metres, or at every colour change. The
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