Contamination of hospital curtains with healthcare-associated pathogens.
In a culture survey, we found that 42% of hospital privacy curtains were contaminated with vancomycin-resistant enterococci, 22% with ethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and 4% with Clostridium difficile. Hand imprint cultures demonstrated that these pathogens were easily acquired on hands. Hospital curtains are a potential source for dissemination of healthcare-associated pathogens.
Trillis
Floyd
F
Research Service, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
Eckstein
Elizabeth C
EC
Budavich
Rachel
R
Pultz
Michael J
MJ
Donskey
Curtis J
CJ
D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000382:microbiology*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance