Hospital cubicle curtains provide private enclosures for patients and visitors and help protect patients, staff, and visitors from infection. However, not all hospital curtains are the same. Disposable curtains have gained widespread adoption in healthcare facilities because of their benefits over reusable curtains.
In this article, we will look at how disposable cubicle curtains compare to reusable curtains. Let’s begin.
Disposable VS reusable curtains.
In this article, we will be comparing these two types of curtains based on the following criteria.
- Effectiveness
- Costs
- Lifespan
- Design
Effectiveness.
While both types of curtains are effective for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HIAs), disposable hospital curtains edge reusable ones because of their single-use design. Medical-grade disposable curtains are coated with an antimicrobial treatment to mitigate or fight bacteria that otherwise cling to regular curtains.
Healthcare facilities have to wash and sterilize regular curtains after taking them down. Although rare, negligence or human error may result in poorly-washed or inadequately sterilized or disinfected curtains- this can lead to the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.
Disposable curtains eliminate the chance for error during handling, laundering, or sterilizing. They are also effective for highly-infectious diseases like covid-19, Ebola, etc.
Costs.
The cost advantage of disposable curtains is one of the main reasons hospitals and other health care facilities have adopted disposable curtains. Why? You ask.- because disposable cubicle curtains only cost a fraction of reusable curtains. Apart from the initial money hospitals save on the purchase, disposables also help them save money in other sectors. First of all, hospitals do not have to worry about washing the curtains. By disposing of curtains, hospitals save money on utilities like water and electricity. Disposable curtains also save time and eliminate labor costs.
Lifespan
Reusable curtains can serve hospitals and other facilities for up to 10 years. As you would have expected, disposable curtains have a shorter lifespan than reusable curtains. What is surprising is how long disposable curtains last given their nature. A disposable privacy curtain can last twelve months if kept in good condition. Disposable curtains are also friendly for the environment because they are recyclable.
Design.
The environment or setting in which a patient receives care can have physical and psychological effects on healing.
An appealing environment improves the patient’s perception of the quality of care he receives. This, in turn, improves his state and mind and positively affects the body. This is why hospitals and other health care facilities pay attention to the aesthetics of their wards and curtains.
In terms of design and colors, both reusable and disposable privacy curtains for hospitals can be customized to match the aesthetics or standards set by health facilities.
Conclusion.
There is no doubt that curtains are vital in reducing the spread of infection between patients, patient-staff, and patient-visitors. The two main types of curtains used in hospitals and health care facilities include reusable and disposable curtains. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities should ensure they buy disposable curtains from trusted and reputable sources.