Nebraska Methodist Hospital Uses Bacteria-Resistant Curtains to Protect Fabrics Around Patients

Nebraska Methodist Hospital has chosen X-STATIC® Antimicrobial Technology to elevate its standard of care for fabrics in the healthcare environment. The facility will install bacteria-resistant Arc-Com privacy curtains powered by X-STATIC in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) of its new surgery center.

Terry Micheels, MSN, RN, CIC, and the service leader of the Epidemiology Department at Nebraska Methodist Hospital explains, “We have things we do to address soft surface fabric risk in the facility already. However, we felt a better solution was needed for the new PACU, which would contain a number of cubicle curtains for patient privacy needs.” 

A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Infection Control concluded that privacy curtains are rapidly contaminated, with 92 percent showing contamination within one week.[1] Micheels evaluated antimicrobial solutions and determined a technology that is permanently integrated into the product was optimal next to a temporary topical solution. The durability of X-STATIC, certified at 200+ commercial launderings, was a critical decision-making factor. 

“Fabrics are contaminated and are a critical link in the chain of infection,” said Joel Furey, chief commercial officer at Noble Biomaterials. “This means we must update policy and standard practice, follow proper cleaning procedures, and understand what technologies are available to us to actively and continuously manage contamination.”

Peg Luebbert, MS, MT (ASCP), CIC, CHSP and founder of Healthcare Interventions, LLC, offers suggestions for anyone evaluating soft surface fabric solutions: “I suggest you pay close attention to any kill claims made by antimicrobial fabric manufacturers and ensure those claims are backed by the appropriate approvals. For example, a fabric that claims it ‘kills MRSA’ needs to have a public health claim approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To my knowledge, there are no soft surface fabrics currently available that have the ability to make the kill claim.”

Luebbert also stressed that antimicrobials aren’t all the same and identified questions to ask: Is it currently registered as an antimicrobial with the EPA or is that pending? What is the durability and efficacy of the product?  Is the end product certified, or is it just the technology?

[1] Hospital privacy curtains are frequently and rapidly contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria. American Journal of Infection Control. Volume 40, Issue 10; 904-906, December 2012 http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/PIIS0196655312000703/abstract