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RM032 - Mark Tan - NCCS - Risk Assessment On Use of Traditional Curtains

A study at the National Cancer Centre Singapore evaluated the feasibility of disposable anti-microbial and sporicidal curtains as a replacement for traditional curtains to address rising operational costs and infection control concerns. The findings indicated that disposable curtains significantly reduce changing frequency, lower hospital-acquired infection risks, and minimize work-related injuries due to their lightweight nature. The initiative aims to optimize resources, improve inventory management, and enhance overall patient safety.

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39 views1 page

RM032 - Mark Tan - NCCS - Risk Assessment On Use of Traditional Curtains

A study at the National Cancer Centre Singapore evaluated the feasibility of disposable anti-microbial and sporicidal curtains as a replacement for traditional curtains to address rising operational costs and infection control concerns. The findings indicated that disposable curtains significantly reduce changing frequency, lower hospital-acquired infection risks, and minimize work-related injuries due to their lightweight nature. The initiative aims to optimize resources, improve inventory management, and enhance overall patient safety.

Uploaded by

irdhinasalma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Risk Assessment on use of Traditional Curtains vs Disposable

Curtains in terms of Cost Effectiveness, Work Processes and


Infection Control concerns
Jeremy Lim1, Priscilla Han2, Mark Tan3
1Operations Admin and Material Management
2 Infection Control, Nursing
3 Operations Admin

Test Sample Collection


The disposable curtains were tested at the following intervals:
A study was conducted at National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) to 3rd month, 6th month, 9th month and 12th month of the evaluation
assess the feasibility of disposable Anti-microbial and sporicidal curtains
in replacing traditional curtains. This was initiated to address rising
operational cost and cross infection concerns.
Note: An additional test is done for the first terminal cleaning case as a precaution.

With rising patient numbers, both Housekeeping and linen vendors


Test sample s were cut from contact area and sent to PSB
experienced significant challenges in managing the high change-cycle for
laboratory for testing at scheduled dates.
clean curtains. This posed significant infection control risk for patients
and staff. Changing of traditional curtains is also time consuming: each
change takes between 10 – 15 minutes and involves working at height.
The curtains can be heavy and hard to handle, which may increase the
probability of work injury. In addition, due to inflation, cleaning cost for
traditional curtains are expected to increase over time. The condition of
existing curtains also deteriorate with age and frequent washing.
Replacement curtains may be costly. The number of traditional curtains
kept as spares may also be limited due to storage space constraints.

The introduction of anti-microbial and sporicidal curtains would result in


a significant reduction in the curtain changing frequency, due to its anti-
microbial and sporicidal properties. This seeks to reap benefits in the
following areas:
1. Optimisation of resources in terms of cost and manpower
2. Reduce hospital associated infections (HAIs)

Identifying Potential Risk Areas for project implementation

The Operations department utilized the following benchmarks to identify


suitable risk areas for the implementation of disposable curtains
evaluation:
- High Operational Cost in terms of man-hours and traditional curtains The 6 sets of disposables curtains were hanged at pre-selected
washing consultation rooms. 3 sets of the curtains were tested free of
- High holding cost of spare curtains pathogens over a one year period, while the remainder 3 were
- Work place injury risk during curtain changing pathogen free for only 6 months.
- Hospital Acquired Infection through contaminated curtains Housekeeping staff also reported that the disposable curtains were
Given that the largest concentration of curtain changes resides in NCCS relatively easy to handle due to their light weight.
Ambulatory Treatment Unit (ATU), the feasibility study of disposable Performance of the curtain fabric was within expectation for 3 out
curtains was initiated at ATU, and subsequently extended to 2 other of 6 of the tested disposable curtains
Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs). Two vendors were invited to
participate in this evaluation project. A subsequent cost and benefit
analysis was also conducted.
The study shows that disposable curtains, with anti-microbial &
sporicidal properties, have the possibility of preventing
Location Disposable curtain Vendor contamination of pathogens up to a period of 1 year. This facilitates
length better risk management of operational cost as it minimises the
Consultation Room 1, changing frequency for curtains. In addition, risk of HAIs are greatly
SOC C reduced due the long term efficacy of these properties.
Procedure Room 54,
5 metres Vendor A The reduced curtain changing frequency also minimises the risk of
Morning Glory Suite
work related injury. The disposable curtains are lighter, making
Procedure Room 1, them easier to deploy or remove. Inventory turn-over is also
SOC D expected to be improved. Spare curtain stock are expected to be
Consultation Room 8, turned over every 6 months and can be managed by an external
SOC C storage solution, resulting in more effective use of limited storage.
Procedure Room 10,
7.5 metres Vendor B Through this initiative, the Operations Department hoped to reduce
SOC C
the spread of HAIs, eliminate risk of infection caused by poor
Consultation Room,
handling/washing by vendor and reduce housekeeping manpower
Jasmine Suite
dependency with regards to the expected rise in patient load.

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