How Can You Protect Your Facility?
Soft-surfaces can contribute to the spread of these pathogens through direct contact, aerosol transmission, and cross-contamination potential. Infection Control Today maintains that routine laundering of soft-surfaces and the use of an EPA-registered product can help limit and prevent contamination and the spread of HAIs. An article in Executive Housekeeping Today also suggests changing the curtains after each contact isolation discharge to further help this cause.
Examining your current sanitization process may prove that your curtains are only being changed during an isolation cleaning or when “visibly soiled”. These standards alone mean that areas like the PACU, ER, Maternity, and supporting departments may wait months or even years to be cleaned, if at all. With the curtains representing over 500 square feet of surface space in a normal patient room and the average HAI costing a hospital $27,000 in unreimbursed expenses, a compliance program is critical.
