Last winter a cruise ship heading to the Caribbean was full of people ready to create memories of a lifetime. Only three days into the cruise, a norovirus outbreak hit. With more than 6,000 passengers plus crew confined in close quarters, the number of sick rapidly increased. The crew did all they could to clean and contain, yet the spread continued. By day four, the infected were quarantined to their rooms, and the captain cancelled all stops and was forced to steer the ship back home.
Norovirus creates the same kind of panic within senior living communities and staff do not take it lightly. The fast-spreading gastrointestinal disease is a serious concern for continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) even more so than on cruise ships because the norovirus can be much more severe for the elderly, leading to declining health or hospitalization.
The length of time bacteria and viruses can survive outside the body varies; norovirus and MRSA bacteria can live on hard surfaces for days or even weeks. Norovirus is resistant to many disinfectants including alcohol-based hand sanitizers, making it particularly difficult to get rid of. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1-3 million serious infections, including urinary tract infections, diarrheal diseases, and antibiotic-resistant staph infections, occur every year in long-term care facilities. Furthermore, infections are a major cause of hospitalization and death, with as many as 380,000 people dying of the infections in long-term care facilities every year, according to the CDC.
What if outbreaks could be handled more effectively in a senior living community where norovirus and other communally spread illnesses are a concern? What if design incorporated antimicrobial and germicidal technologies to reduce the spread of infection?
The senior living design market continues to evolve with gorgeous hospitality-inspired elements, including beautiful wood furniture and deeply textured fabrics. Selections are often made for aesthetic and functional purposes, but rarely do designers consider if a finish material or piece of furniture can potentially harbor disease. It’s now possible to design a CCRC with form and function at the forefront, creating a beautiful setting without sacrificing health.
Silver ion: Several furniture manufacturers offer collections that embed wood and metal materials with silver ion, which forms a protective surface against bacteria and other pathogens to inhibit the spread of infection. The silver binds to the microbe cell wall which kills the germ, preventing further transmission. Using these furniture pieces in lobbies and dining areas, where surfaces are touched all day long, could help reduce the spread of infection. Silver ion is also being added to many products like door handles and sink faucets to support infection control efforts.
Portable UV light: Another consideration is how to sterilize an area where infection has been found. When a guest is diagnosed with norovirus on a cruise ship, for example, their room is stripped of all removable items and sanitized by hand to help contain the spread of the infection. Many senior living communities do the same. A better option might be to utilize UV light technology that hospitals have been using to sterilize equipment and sanitize operating rooms. Using short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light destroys the DNA base of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Portable UV-C units are now available on the market and can be used in patient or resident rooms where outbreaks have occurred. Because UV-C light is not harmful to humans the way broad-spectrum UV is, the possibilities of using UV-C light in public areas as an infection-control method is promising.
The effectiveness of using antimicrobial and germicidal technologies varies but any reduction in the spread of infection is certainly encouraging for senior living communities. Studies on the long-term effects of utilizing these technologies and their environmental impact are still being studied, but the field continues to grow. Designers can make a difference through consideration of products and materials that support residents’ health.
As a designer, I know I will be specifying them, as I was on that cruise ship.
Rebecca Jourdan, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, SAGE, is a registered interior designer at Shive-Hattery Architecture + Engineering (Moline, Ill.). She can be reached at [email protected].
