Maintaining rigorous infection control stands vital for safe healthcare delivery, especially in patient bathing areas. Showers provide a necessary activity, allowing patients to refresh without relying solely on bed baths. However, standard vinyl shower curtains readily enable mold and bacteria growth in the warm, humid environment, contacting multiple patient populations.
Thankfully, selecting the appropriate shower curtain material inhibits microbes’ ability to colonize, survive, and transmit to those with vulnerable immune systems.
Limitations of Standard Vinyl Curtains
Typical SureChek vinyl curtains rank as the most common choice for affordability and flexibility in residential settings. Yet the porous surface traps moisture between the liner and wall. Without rapid drying or disinfecting cleanser contact, pathogens like drug-resistant MRSA and C. diff easily multiply once adhering to the membrane.
Despite rinsing shower curtains in EPA-registered cleaning solutions, cracks and tears from continual usage quicken replacement needs. These hazards prompt regulations mandating durable, infection-resistant curtains within healthcare facilities.
Antimicrobial Shower Curtains
Reliable technologies now allow antimicrobial properties to be directly embedded into vinyl fabric.
Make sure curtains get replaced per manufacturers’ recommendations, as efficacy depletes over time. Maintain the antimicrobial impact also through methodical wall-to-wall wiping between patients, keeping the curtain fully extended for drying.
Vigilance across all aspects of infection prevention distinguishes exceptional healthcare facilities. Evaluate if existing shower curtains meet necessary control standards through an audit considering height, coverage, and separator placement from the water spray. Reassess cleaning procedures around disinfectant product rotation and contact timing as well.
Keep patients protected through proactive upgrades to shower spaces utilizing curtains designed specifically to combat healthcare-associated infections. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to learn about your shower curtain pain points on selecting optimal materials for infection-resistant shower curtains.
