In-Situ Disinfection of Hospital Privacy Curtains Using a Next-Generation Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide System

Abstract

BackgroundPrivacy curtains represent a uniquely difficult infection control surface because they are frequently touched by patients, visitors, and healthcare workers, yet are difficult to disinfect using routine environmental cleaning protocols. We sought to quantify the performance of a novel automated aerosolized hydrogen peroxide system against pathogens on privacy curtains.

MethodsThis study was performed in an enclosed office space ({approx} 65 m3), approximating a patient exam room. Four Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC 9372) biological indicators (BIs) were affixed to a standard polyester privacy curtain. A single one-minute fogging phase was followed by a ten-minute contact/aeration phase (total = 11 min). Four corresponding chemical indicators measured peak airborne aerosolized hydrogen peroxide concentration, and two control BIs were placed outside of the room.

ResultsAll four BIs demonstrated complete inactivation (no growth after seven-day incubation), representing [≥]4-log10 spore reduction. Peak dosages reached 42 ppm nearest the aerosolized hydrogen peroxide jet outlet, with the lowest value at the near point on the back side of the curtain reaching 27 ppm (exceeding the target dosage of 25 ppm). Control exposures failed to achieve sterilization.

ConclusionsA next-generation aerosolized hydrogen peroxide dry-fogging disinfection system achieved full inactivation of resistant spores on both sides of privacy curtains within a short 11-minute automated cycle.

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Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@misc{navas2026insitu,
  title = {{In-Situ Disinfection of Hospital Privacy Curtains Using a Next-Generation Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide System}},
  author = {C. D. Navas and B. Hawkins and C. Lazarus and E. Kulstad and K. Warye},
  howpublished = {medRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.64898/2026.10.21.26365806},
  url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.21.26365806v1},
  note = {CC BY},
}

RIS

TY  - UNPB
TI  - In-Situ Disinfection of Hospital Privacy Curtains Using a Next-Generation Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide System
AU  - C. D. Navas
AU  - B. Hawkins
AU  - C. Lazarus
AU  - E. Kulstad
AU  - K. Warye
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/21
PB  - medRxiv
DO  - 10.64898/2026.10.21.26365806
UR  - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.21.26365806v1
AB  - BackgroundPrivacy curtains represent a uniquely difficult infection control surface because they are frequently touched by patients, visitors, and healthcare workers, yet are difficult to disinfect using routine environmental cleaning protocols. We sought to quantify the performance of a novel automated aerosolized hydrogen peroxide system against pathogens on privacy curtains.  MethodsThis study was performed in an enclosed office space ({approx} 65 m3), approximating a patient exam room. Four Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC 9372) biological indicators (BIs) were affixed to a standard polyester privacy curtain. A single one-minute fogging phase was followed by a ten-minute contact/aeration phase (total = 11 min). Four corresponding chemical indicators measured peak airborne aerosolized hydrogen peroxide concentration, and two control BIs were placed outside of the room.  ResultsAll four BIs demonstrated complete inactivation (no growth after seven-day incubation), representing [≥]4-log10 spore reduction. Peak dosages reached 42 ppm nearest the aerosolized hydrogen peroxide jet outlet, with the lowest value at the near point on the back side of the curtain reaching 27 ppm (exceeding the target dosage of 25 ppm). Control exposures failed to achieve sterilization.  ConclusionsA next-generation aerosolized hydrogen peroxide dry-fogging disinfection system achieved full inactivation of resistant spores on both sides of privacy curtains within a short 11-minute automated cycle.
ER  -

Abstract

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