Curtains for Superbug

Government report recognized potential use of disposable hospital privacy curtain could help reduce hospital acquired infection.

(PRWEB) June 30, 2005 -- An official report released today recognizes the potential usefulness of a simple disposable hospital patient privacy curtain.

For years we have been cleaning bedside lockers, disinfecting mattresses and mopping floors then surrounding the patient with the same old dirty curtains that, in some cases, havent been changed for over a year. The detrimental effects of this have been felt no more than on doctors ward rounds when patients are screened off to have wounds examined and 'invasive procedures such as the insertion of drips and catheters applied. At these times the level of dust or 'dead skin in the air has been recorded at record levels as curtains are routinely 'swished around the patient.

The Centre for Healthcare Innovation and Development have independently audited the new system and discovered that, in a typical 1000 bedded hospital, savings in excess of 200,00 can be achieved in year one alone, when compared to using conventional curtains.

Laurence Marshall, Chief Executive of the Midlands based company that invented and manufactures the product stated 'We are bound by contract not to comment on the governments findings but suffice it to say we are delighted by any report that confirms what we have been telling the hospitals for years. He added 'The curtains are about 100 times quicker to fit than normal curtains, are self-auditing by virtue of the fact that they have a big label showing patients and staff alike exactly when they were last changed, theyre independently proven to be cost effective and now they can be coated with a bactericidal that gives a form of 'second line of defence by actively killing bacteria whilst the curtains are in situ.

Hospitals in the private sector have rapidly recognized the financial benefits of the system that eliminates the massive capital cost of purchasing normal curtains and gets rid of the ongoing laundry costs whilst dramatically reducing labour.

In the NHS it takes a lot longer to introduce new ideas because, although the savings are obvious, its not always that easy for them to see who is making the saving. Nevertheless, well over 100 hospitals are now using the system that is set to become the best practice available and should significantly contribute in the battle against hospital acquired infections.

For further information Contact:

Laurence Marshall

0121 783 5777 (Office)

07800685771

Source of Report

Rapid Revue Panel

Health Protection Agency Central Office

7th Floor

Holborn Gate

330 High Holborn

London

WC1V 7PP

Tel: 020 7759 2700 / 2701

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