Kotsanas, D.Wijesooriya, W.R.P.L.I.Sloane, T.Stuart, R. L.Gillespie, E. E.2015-07-262015-07-262014American Journal of Infection Control. 2014; 42(4):366-700196-6553 (Print)http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/8967Indexed in MEDLINEBACKGROUND: The environment is a well-known source of health care-acquired infection. Because of the known risk of contamination, patient privacy curtains require frequent changes to decrease the risk of spread from patients to curtain and visa versa. METHODS: Fourteen disposable sporicidal privacy curtains were tested from December 2012 to June 2013 while hanging in a busy intensive care unit. Significant bacterial pathogens were identified and total bacteria enumerated as colony-forming units. Antimicrobial activity of curtain swatches was also tested against a range of bacteria in the laboratory. Measurements were recorded as zone of inhibition and contact inhibition. A cost analysis to replace standard curtains with disposable sporicidal curtains was also undertaken. RESULTS: Cultures grew low numbers of skin and environmental microorganisms with no methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or Clostridium difficile detected. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci were recovered in very low numbers from 2 curtains where vancomycin-resistant enterococci-infected patients had been located. Privacy curtains demonstrated antimicrobial activity against C difficile and 13 additional bacterial pathogens. CONCLUSION:We conclude that disposable sporicidal privacy curtains are cost-effective and best replaced at 6 months in a high-risk area such as an intensive care unit.en-USBacteria-drug effectsBacteria- isolation and purificationIntensive Care UnitsPatient Isolation-methodsSilver-pharmacologyDisinfectants-pharmacologyDisposable Equipment-microbiologyThe silver lining of disposable sporicidal privacy curtains in an intensive care unitArticleMedical Microbiology