How privacy screens reshape infection control

Hospital privacy curtains, though essential for patient dignity, are increasingly being recognised as high-risk touchpoints. Recent scientific research, particularly a 2023 study published in Infection Prevention in Practice, investigated whether antimicrobial curtains offer a meaningful reduction in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk.1

Conducted at a major US military hospital, the study, titled 'New patient privacy curtains to provide passive infection prevention' measured the bacterial contamination of standard cloth curtains versus Endurocide antimicrobial variants over 20 weeks. The results revealed a 98 per cent reduction in colony-forming units (CFUs) — from 32.6 CFUs for cloth curtains down to 0.56 CFUs on the antimicrobial alternative. Furthermore, no HAIs were recorded during the trial period. Operational benefits included a projected annual saving of over £15,000 and a 67 hour reduction in staff time spent changing or managing curtains.

However, while antimicrobial curtains offer improvements, they remain fabric-based. Their decontamination depends on contact time, regular monitoring, and continued replacement. Some coatings require up to 24 hours to neutralise pathogens — a delay incompatible with high-traffic clinical environments. Moreover, the environmental consequences of antimicrobial coatings are under increased scrutiny. When washed or incinerated, treated curtains may release microplastics and silver nanoparticles into the water table or atmosphere.