Question 1

Are antimicrobial curtains a sufficient alternative to non-porous partitions?

Accepted Answer

Antimicrobial-treated curtains reduce surface microbial load compared to untreated fabric, and studies do show measurable improvement on that single metric. They do not, however, resolve the underlying structural issues: the fabric weave is still porous, fluids still wick into the fibers, and the curtain still requires removal and laundering to be decontaminated. Antimicrobial coatings also wear down with each laundering cycle, so the protective effect degrades over the service life of the curtain.

The clinical evidence positions antimicrobial curtains as a partial mitigation rather than a structural solution. A non-porous partition addresses the material problem directly — there is no fibrous matrix for organisms to colonize in the first place, and the surface can be brought back to a fully disinfected state on demand.

Question 2

Can a hospital replace curtains gradually, department by department?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and that's the most common deployment pattern. Most health systems begin with the highest-yield environments — emergency departments, isolation rooms, infusion centers — and expand from there as budget cycles allow. Because Rolascreen partitions are portable and require no construction or facility modification, a department-by-department rollout doesn't disrupt operations or require coordinated capital projects.

The portable form factor also means partitions can be redeployed if departmental needs change. A unit purchased for the ER can be reassigned to a surge response or moved to a different unit. This flexibility is one of the operational advantages over fixed construction or ceiling-tracked curtain systems.

Question 3

How do infection control screens compare on acoustic privacy versus curtains?

Accepted Answer

Rigid panel partitions provide better acoustic dampening than fabric curtains for normal conversational ranges. Curtains attenuate some high-frequency sound but provide minimal blocking of speech-range frequencies — which is why patients in curtained bays can typically hear conversations in adjacent bays clearly. A rigid panel creates a more meaningful acoustic barrier, supporting HIPAA confidentiality during sensitive discussions.

That said, neither solution provides full acoustic isolation. For procedures or discussions requiring complete privacy, a private room or dedicated consultation space remains the standard. The comparison here is between two solutions to the same problem: bounded privacy in shared clinical spaces.

Question 4

What's the typical break-even point for replacing curtains with partitions?

Accepted Answer

Break-even depends on the specific facility's curtain cost structure — number of units, laundering frequency, labor model, and disposal costs — and on which department is being converted. Facilities with formal industrial laundering contracts and frequent replacement cycles reach break-even faster than facilities relying on disposable curtains, because the recurring spend is higher.

For a typical hospital ED or infusion center, break-even on a Rolascreen deployment is commonly reached within two to four years on direct operational costs alone — before accounting for the cost of avoided HAIs, which can dwarf the partition investment after a single prevented infection. Our team can run a facility-specific ROI projection during a consultation.

Question 5

Do infection control screens meet Joint Commission and CDC requirements?

Accepted Answer

Rolascreen partitions support compliance with the Joint Commission's 2024 Infection Prevention and Control standards and CDC's Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities. They provide a physical barrier compatible with contact precautions, a non-porous surface compatible with EPA-registered hospital disinfectants, and a form factor that integrates into standard terminal cleaning protocols.

It's worth noting that no privacy barrier is itself "Joint Commission certified" — Joint Commission accredits facilities, not individual products. The relevant question is whether the product supports the facility's compliance with the standards. Rolascreen partitions are designed specifically to do so, and many of our clinical deployments are in Joint Commission-accredited facilities.

Question 6

What disinfectants can be used on Rolascreen panels without damage?

Accepted Answer

The Rolascreen polyester film panel is validated for compatibility with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at concentrations up to 10,000 ppm — the level used against C. difficile spores; quaternary ammonium compounds including CaviCide; accelerated hydrogen peroxide commonly used in terminal cleaning; and alcohol-based wipes for spot disinfection. The non-porous film resists degradation, discoloration, and warping across these chemical classes.

For panels with custom printed graphics, alcohol-based wipes are best used sparingly to preserve ink integrity over the long term — though the underlying film itself is alcohol-resistant. For routine and terminal cleaning, the partition is fully compatible with your existing EVS chemical protocols. See more on medical privacy screens.

Question 7

How quickly can a facility transition from curtains to partitions?

Accepted Answer

For a single department, the transition is typically same-day or next-day once partitions arrive on site. There is no construction, no ceiling-track removal, and no facility downtime required. EVS staff are familiarized with the wipe-in-place cleaning workflow in a single in-service session because the workflow itself is simpler than what they were doing with curtains.

For multi-department or system-wide deployments, the limiting factor is usually manufacturing lead time and the facility's internal procurement cycle, not the installation itself. Rolascreen units are manufactured in Los Angeles, which keeps lead times shorter than for overseas competitors and supports "Buy American" procurement requirements. For specific timelines, request a quote and we'll scope the lead time for your facility's volume.

Attribute	Retractable Rolascreen	Fabric Curtain on Track
Surface Material	Non-porous polyester film	Porous cotton-polyester weave
Cleaning Method	Wipe in place — under 2 minutes	Remove, launder, rehang — multi-day cycle
Bleach Tolerance	Up to 10,000 ppm sodium hypochlorite	Degrades fibers, fades dye
Terminal Clean Integration	Part of standard EVS wipe-down pass	Typically excluded — separate workflow
Ceiling Infrastructure	None required	Ceiling tracks + drop rods
Stowed Profile	Flush to wall (18") or nested portable	Bunched fabric on track — always visible
Acoustic Privacy	Rigid panel dampens speech frequencies	Minimal sound attenuation
Lifespan	10+ years with interchangeable panels	3–6 months per curtain
Custom Branding	Full panel printing — survives disinfection	Limited fabric printing — degrades with wash

Retractable Medical Partitions

Retractable Medical Partitions

Why Healthcare Is Moving to Retractable Partitions

Two Form Factors, One Platform

Wall-Mounted Elite

Portable Elite

Six Advantages Over Ceiling-Tracked Curtains

No Ceiling Infrastructure

Wipe-In-Place Cleaning

Retract When Not Needed

Bleach-Compatible Surfaces

Rigid Acoustic Barrier

10+ Year Lifespan

Retractable Partition vs. Fabric Curtain: Direct Comparison

Which Retractable Type Fits Which Department

Emergency Department Bays

Infusion & Dialysis Centers

Pre-Op & PACU

Surge & Overflow

Exam & Consultation Rooms

Therapy & Rehabilitation

Retractable Partitions in Clinical Environments

Trusted by Leading Healthcare Systems

Retractable Medical Partitions: Common Questions

Replace Your Curtains with Retractable Partitions