Hospital privacy curtains, though essential for patient dignity, are increasingly being recognised as high-risk touchpoints. Recent scientific research, particularly a 2023 study published in Infection Prevention in Practice, investigated whether antimicrobial curtains offer a meaningful reduction in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk.1
Conducted at a major US military hospital, the study, titled ‘New patient privacy curtains to provide passive infection prevention’ measured the bacterial contamination of standard cloth curtains versus Endurocide antimicrobial variants over 20 weeks. The results revealed a 98 per cent reduction in colony-forming units (CFUs) — from 32.6 CFUs for cloth curtains down to 0.56 CFUs on the antimicrobial alternative. Furthermore, no HAIs were recorded during the trial period. Operational benefits included a projected annual saving of over £15,000 and a 67 hour reduction in staff time spent changing or managing curtains.
However, while antimicrobial curtains offer improvements, they remain fabric-based. Their decontamination depends on contact time, regular monitoring, and continued replacement. Some coatings require up to 24 hours to neutralise pathogens — a delay incompatible with high-traffic clinical environments. Moreover, the environmental consequences of antimicrobial coatings are under increased scrutiny. When washed or incinerated, treated curtains may release microplastics and silver nanoparticles into the water table or atmosphere.
Hard-surface screens: Immediate cleaning, zero downtime
Silentia privacy screens reportedly address these issues with a fundamentally different design ethos. Their hard, non-porous surface allows immediate cleaning with standard disinfectants. Unlike curtains — which are usually cleaned off-site or only changed between patients on contact precautions — screens can be disinfected in situ, reducing both contamination risk and room downtime.
Each screen component is part of a modular system, enabling precise configurations for wards, examination bays, surgical prep areas, or maternity suites. Cleaning protocols are simplified, standardised, and verifiable — aligning with NHS England’s National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021. These standards, while comprehensive, notably omit curtains as a high-frequency touchpoint — despite growing evidence of their role in cross-infection.
The advantages become especially pronounced in areas where rapid turnover and infection control are paramount, such as A&E, oncology, or surgical recovery. Here, screens not only outperform curtains in hygiene terms, but also enable more fluid patient flow by eliminating delays linked to laundering or curtain changes.
Sustainability in focus: Reducing waste and water use
Environmental impact is now a central consideration for capital projects across NHS and HSE Trusts. In line with the Delivering a Net Zero NHS initiative, procurement teams are under pressure to adopt solutions that cut waste, water, and emissions.
Curtains, whether disposable or washable, pose a notable burden. Disposable options, made from polypropylene or polyester, must be incinerated after use, contributing to clinical waste volume. Washable curtains consume thousands of litres of water and vast amounts of detergent and energy with every laundering cycle.
In contrast, Silentia screens are designed to last over 10 years and require only surface disinfection. A recent Danish study estimated that switching from curtains to screens in a single ward can save 12,000—16,000 litres of wastewater and 3,600 kWh of energy per year. These figures are especially relevant in the context of rising utility costs and environmental audits. For larger estates, the cumulative benefit is significant — not only in cost terms, but also in ESG reporting and reputational impact.
Furthermore, Silentia’s manufacturing facility runs on 100% renewable energy, and the company is actively involved in carbon footprint and circular product design initiatives, including the reuse of modular components across multiple hospital installations.
Though privacy screens require a higher initial investment than curtains, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is often far lower over time. Key cost reductions include:
- No laundering or disposal costs.
- No recurring curtain purchases.
- Fewer staff hours spent on cleaning logistics.
- Less disruption to patient care during room changes.
- Extended product lifespan (10+ years).
A typical return on investment is achieved in 1-3 years depending on screen deployment and use-case. For example, high-turnover A&E or maternity wards can see rapid payback due to reduced operational downtime and cleaning expenses.
Capital purchasers increasingly favour TCO-based evaluations over upfront pricing. With hospital budgets under continued pressure, cost-effective procurement decisions must account for lifecycle efficiency, not just purchase price.
Real-world impact:
10 projects that define the future
Silentia’s recent global installations demonstrate the wide applicability of privacy screens across care settings. In 2024, the company delivered over 10 high-profile projects, each tailored to specific clinical, design, and hygiene needs:
- Torrance Memorial, California, USA — Mobile bed-end screens with calming photographic imagery enhanced radiology spaces.
- Iowa Clinic, South Waukee, USA — Forest-themed wall-mounted folding screens supported a more comfortable pre-operative patient journey.
- Blekinge Hospital, Sweden — Reception areas featured artwork-integrated screens to humanise outpatient environments.
- Hackettstown Medical Center, New Jersey, USA — Folding screens incorporated local mountain motifs and hospital branding.
- Overbrook School for the Blind, Pennsylvania, USA — Customisable shower screens ensured accessibility, privacy, and dignity for all students.
- Le Noirmont Cardiology Clinic, Switzerland — Folding screens concealed in custom cabinets enabled discreet, hygienic patient separation.
- Narvik Hospital, Norway — Paediatric and adult wards used modular screens themed around the local coastline.
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden — Wall-mounted screens provided privacy and nature immersion in waiting areas.
- Summit Health Physiotherapy, Oregon, USA — Folding screens with alpine landscapes supported rehabilitation in an open-plan therapy gym.
- El Camino Health, California, USA — Emergency department screens were designed to reduce visual clutter while maximising patient comfort.
Each project began with digital layout planning using Silentia’s EasyScreenDesign tool, ensuring clinical usability and architectural fit. Hospitals benefited from improved staff workflow, lower cleaning demands, and consistent patient feedback praising the calming visuals and enhanced privacy.
A maternity revolution: The power of waves
One particularly poignant case comes from Varberg, Sweden, where Halland Hospital’s maternity ward installed Silentia screens featuring a sunset ocean scene. The rationale went beyond aesthetics: midwives noted that the rhythm of waves mirrored the natural cadence of contractions — building, peaking, and ebbing — providing visual reassurance during a vulnerable time.
The birthing suite’s atmosphere shifted palpably. Screens added privacy without enclosing the space, allowing partners and staff to maintain eye contact and support. They also made examinations and room transitions more dignified and less clinical, contributing to a positive birthing experience.
Crucially, the screens still met stringent infection control requirements. Staff cleaned the hard surfaces quickly and efficiently between patients, maintaining hygiene without reliance on outsourced laundry or curtain replacement.
For NHS and HSE estates managers, the decision to transition from curtains to screens involves not just infection prevention, but a wider strategy encompassing:
- Compliance — Silentia screens meet or exceed NHS guidelines on cleanability, reusability, and sustainability.
- Space optimisation — Modular design accommodates open-plan bays or private cubicles without architectural changes.
- Staff efficiency — Cleaning protocols are simplified, reducing time and variation between departments.
- Patient dignity — Screen designs can be customised to suit paediatric, palliative, or emergency care settings.
- Climate goals — Screen adoption supports NHS Net Zero initiatives and broader healthcare sustainability frameworks.
Hospitals can start with targeted pilot schemes — perhaps in maternity or minor injuries units — before expanding site-wide. Silentia supports trusts with ROI modelling, on-site demos, and clinical workshops to facilitate buy-in across estates, procurement, and infection control teams.
Redefining best practice
Curtains may remain standard in many NHS facilities, but their limitations are now undeniable. While antimicrobial versions mark a modest improvement, hard-surface privacy screens represent a complete rethinking of what patient privacy can — and should — deliver.
By offering superior hygiene, long-term value, sustainability, and user experience, privacy screens are not just a niche innovation — they’re the future of healthcare interior planning.
For hospitals in the UK and Ireland seeking resilient, sustainable, and patient-centred environments, the case for change has never been clearer.
References
1 Nelson NM, et al. New patient privacy curtains to provide passive infection prevention. Infection Prevention in Practice. 2023. Vol. 5, Article 100291.