The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland’s national public health agency for the surveillance and control of communicable disease. Its infection control guidelines are not merely advisory — in nursing homes and other regulated healthcare facilities, compliance with HPSC guidance is a key element of HIQA inspection criteria.
This article explains what the HPSC says about curtains specifically, and what nursing homes and care facilities need to do to demonstrate compliance.
What the HPSC Says About Curtains
The HPSC’s infection prevention and control guidance identifies soft furnishings — including curtains, privacy screens, and upholstered furniture — as a reservoir for pathogens including:
- MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
- C. difficile (Clostridioides difficile spores)
- Norovirus
- COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens
- Common gram-negative bacteria associated with healthcare-acquired infections
Curtains in multi-bed wards and shared rooms are particularly high-risk because they are touched repeatedly by patients, staff, and visitors — often without hand hygiene in between. Studies have shown that curtains can become contaminated within days of being laundered.
HPSC Recommended Cleaning Frequency
The HPSC recommends that curtains in healthcare settings be cleaned:
- Every 6 months as a routine programme
- After any known or suspected contamination event (e.g., patient with confirmed C. difficile or norovirus)
- After any redecoration or deep clean
The guidance also notes that facilities should maintain a written record of when curtains were last cleaned, the method used, and the product applied. This record should be available for inspection by regulatory bodies including HIQA.
What HIQA Inspectors Look For
HIQA inspection reports for nursing homes frequently reference curtain hygiene as part of the infection prevention and control (IPC) assessment. Common findings where curtain hygiene is flagged include:
- No documented cleaning programme for soft furnishings
- Curtains visibly soiled or malodorous
- Inability to produce cleaning certificates when requested
- Cleaning records not meeting the 6-month frequency standard
Where these findings occur, HIQA typically issues a non-compliance notice that requires the facility to provide an improvement plan within a defined timeframe. Repeated non-compliance can result in more serious regulatory action.
How Curtain Care Ireland Supports HPSC Compliance
Curtain Care Ireland’s cleaning process is designed specifically to meet HPSC guidelines:
- Method: Steam cleaning and dry-clean treatment using agents effective against MRSA, C. difficile, and other healthcare pathogens
- Documentation: Compliance certificate issued for every treatment, recording date, areas covered, products used, and method
- Frequency reminders: We maintain records of your treatment dates and will contact you when your next scheduled clean is due
- In-situ process: Curtains remain hanging throughout — no need to remove, launder, and rehang
If you are unsure whether your current curtain cleaning programme meets HPSC standards, contact us for a free assessment or call 01 254 8000. We cover all 26 counties and can typically schedule within 5 working days.