A study by the University of Iowa found that 92% of hospital privacy curtains become contaminated with harmful microbes within a week of being laundered. Executives at InPro Corporation, a manufacturer of building products including hospital curtains, applaud the study as it confirms previous research on contamination of hospital fabrics. InPro has been promoting its antimicrobial Shield by Panaz fabric curtains as an alternative for the past five years. Shield technology uses positively charged molecules that remain permanently fixed to fabrics to destroy microbes on contact.

1. World Headquarters
S80 W18766 Apollo Drive
P.O. Box 406
Muskego, WI 53150
Phone: 262.679.9010
Fax: 262.679.5407
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 6, 2011
CONTACT: Evan G. Bane
262.682.5318 Direct
414.429.5588 Mobile
ebane@inprocorp.com
Iowa study: Hospital curtains get contaminated shortly after washing
Antimicrobial curtains the answer to contamination study
MILWAUKEE – A newly released study by University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine found that 92 percent of
hospital privacy curtains are contaminated with potentially harmful microbes within a week of being laundered. Senior
executives at InPro Corporation applaud the study, which affirms other research on hospital fabrics.
“For several years now, we’ve been trying to get the message about dirty hospital curtains in front of healthcare
professionals,” said Mark Alan, senior vice president of product development and management for InPro. “The Iowa
research confirms the earlier research by Dr. Curtis Donskey and his colleagues – cubicle curtains can be vectors for
pathogens.”
“We hope the new Iowa study will now alert hospital staff to the serious problems they face with traditional cubicle
curtain fabrics,” Alan, said, adding that for the past five years, InPro has been taking the “dirty curtains” message to
hospitals around the country, and touting an alternative: its Shield by Panaz™ cubicle curtain fabrics.
Originally developed by Panaz Textiles in the UK, Shield technology uses positively charged silane-based molecules that
modify the fabric it protects. Instead of leeching into the surrounding fabric, the Shield technology remains permanently
fixed to the fabric. When the microbe comes into contact with the fabric, the Shield technology destroys the cell.
A test of Shield by Panaz fabrics showed that the material eliminated an extremely high percentage of the most-common
microbes found in healthcare facilities. Detailed test results are available by contacting InPro Corporation.
In addition to its antimicrobial properties, Shield fabrics also offer excellent stain resistance, and allow for simple clean-
up using a damp cloth with mild detergent. All fabrics retain their antimicrobial properties through repeated thermal
washings when laundered according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The fabrics conform to the NFPA701
NEWS RELEASE

2. flame-retardant standard and come in a variety of patterns and colors which can be used for shower curtains, window
treatments and bed coverings.
For more information, call 800.222.5556 or visit www.inprocorp.com and search “shield.”
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Research cited:
Hospital Privacy Curtains are Frequently and Rapidly Contaminated with Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria.
Presented at: 2011 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Sept. 17-20, 2011. Chicago.
Abstract link:
http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/ViewAbstract.aspx?mID=2789&sKey=4994d2ba-706f-463b-84ef-
194d4a55c330&cKey=9ead0880-53ae-4c04-9107-608f88a107d3&mKey={0C918954-D607-46A7-8073-44F4B537A439}
Contamination of Hospital Curtains With Healthcare‐Associated Pathogens
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Vol. 29, No. 11, November 2008
Article link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/591863

3. BACKGROUND
InPro Corporation – Based in Muskego, Wisconsin, InPro is the nation’s premier manufacturer of building
products, offering the most choices and best service in door and wall protection, decorative surfaces, expansion
joint systems, cubicle track & privacy curtains and signage & wayfinding. InPro products are used in the
healthcare, senior living, hospitality, education, and government sectors.
The company leads the industry with the first biopolymer wall protection – InPro’s exclusive G2 Blend®
made
from BioPolyPETG+™ material containing both a biopolymer and recycled content.
For more information on InPro Corporation, visit www.inprocorp.com, or call 800-222-5556.