Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major global challenge. Pathogenic microorganisms can persist for extended periods on high-touch surfaces, contributing to the spread of infections in clinical environments. Conventional cleaning and disinfection procedures provide only temporary protection, creating a growing demand for materials capable of delivering continuous antimicrobial activity directly at the surface.

Due to the increasing occurrence of bacterial resistance, alternatives to antibiotics are urgently needed. The study presented here therefore aims to develop an antimicrobial chitosan film loaded with bacteriophages.