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A new study has been released that points to hospital curtains as a surprising source of infection at hospitals.
Presented last Monday in Chicago, the study investigated 43 hospital curtains six times over the course of three weeks. Out of 180 samples analyzed, 119 included germs. 44% of these contained an Enterococcus bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. 26% contained Staphylococcus aureus, also potentially antibiotic-resistant and possibly deadly. The study also tested 13 fresh and new curtains. After only a week in the hospital 12 of them were found to contain these germs.
Of course, plenty of hospital materials may pose similar dangers. Hospitals often have strict dress codes to prevent bacterial infection. Privacy curtains, which are often handled by patients and medical personnel, will be the latest in a long line of potentially infectious focal points.
Already, solutions are being proposed. Hand-washing after touching curtains is recommended. A medical professor at Johns Hopkins, however, believes more is necessary. He recommends new technologies, such as "microbial resistant curtains."
Beyond even this, a patient should not be bashful about asking a doctor to wash his/her hands after the curtain is touched, especially in light of this new study.
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