Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service II (Projects aiming to enhance clinical safety and outcomes, clinical governance / risk management)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Chen MN (1), Lai WMY (1), Chan LY (1), Chau KY (1), Tsin LK (1), Lo, PK (1), Wong WM (1), LEE, RA (1)(2), LAM, YT (1)(2), POON, HL (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Infection Control Team, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
(2) Microbiology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Patient privacy curtain (curtain) is commonly touched by health care workers in clinical settings, it should be changed every 2 weeks and upon discharge of inpatients on Contract Precautions according to HA guideline. Curtain was the most commonly found with positive in microbiological environmental sampling for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in HKEC hospitals. Studies had shown antimicrobial curtains (AM curtains) could have a role in reducing environmental contamination in health care setting. However, no evidence-based recommendation on the changing frequency of AM curtains.
Objectives :
1. To determine the optimal changing frequency of AM curtains.
2. To avert the cost and manpower in changing and laundering of curtains
Methodology :
AM curtain was used in 3 designated MDRO cubicles (cubicle) in PYNEH from May 2022 to May 2023. Each cubicle assigned with 2 groups of AM curtain and each group with around 4 to 6 pieces of AM curtain to facilitate weekly microbiological pooled swab sampling (sampling). The sampling was collected on a standardized area of AM curtain to monitor the growth of MDROs. Immediate re-sampling was performed if results found to be positive. AM curtains would be removed if re-sampling result is positive or found to be wear and tear or visibly soiled.
Result & Outcome :
Total 6 groups of AM curtain were fitted for consecutive 52 weeks without removal. 10 out of the 312 (3.12%) weekly sampling found positive to MDROs but turned negative on immediate re-sampling. A group of AM curtain tested positive in 3 episodes of weekly screening and all re-samplings turned negative.
With reference to the number of curtain change requests upon discharge of MDRO patients from Feb to Apr 2022 in the 3 designated cubicles and projected on a full year (52 weeks) effect, use of AM curtain can reduce around 368 request episodes with 3,888 pieces of curtain changed. Each curtain change requires around 20 minutes and as a result 162 man-days on curtain change can be saved.
Conclusions:
Microbiological pooled swab sampling results had shown disposable antimicrobial curtain could reduce the microbial burden in clinical environment and it is recommended to be used up to 52 weeks if not wear and tear or visibly soiled. In addition, the use of AM curtain had positive outcomes on minimizing the curtain change frequency and subsequently saving the labor force and laundering cost. With the support from Cluster Management, the use of AM curtain will roll out to cluster and monitoring on the efficacy would be continued.
