The effect of textiles and their management on healthcare-associated infections: A scoping review

Background: Textiles in healthcare settings can act as reservoirs for microbial contamination. However, their role in transmitting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remains underexplored. Methods: This scoping review mapped existing evidence on the composition and management of hospital textiles for HAI prevention. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus. Results: Twenty studies were included, investigating antimicrobial textile compositions and management interventions, such as decontamination methods and replacement schedules. Decontamination of privacy curtains with hydrogen peroxide (spray, wipe, or dry aerosol), quaternary ammonium compounds (daily or biweekly), and sodium hypochlorite (Endurocide brand and BioSmart) showed reductions in bacterial load. BioSmart without hypochlorite showed no significant difference from standard curtains. Endurocide reduced total aerobic count, while Ecomed curtains with silver did not. Effects on multidrug-resistant organisms were inconsistent. Bedding textiles treated with copper oxide, zinc oxide, or Bio-kil nanotechnology yielded mixed results, with some studies reporting HAIs reductions, including catheter-related urinary tract and bloodstream infections, Clostridium-difficile, and multidrug-resistant organisms, while others found no significant effects. Conclusions: Textile management strategies, including antimicrobial treatments and cleaning protocols, potentially reduce microbial contamination and HAIs. Future research should address gaps in textile handling (laundering, storage, replacement) for comprehensive infection prevention.