A splash-reducing clinical handwash basin reduces droplet-mediated dispersal from a sink contaminated with Gram-negative bacteria in a laboratory model system. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aranega-Bou, P.; Cornbill, C.; Verlander, N.Q.; Moore, G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 114(2021)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: CHWB -- Infection prevention -- Gram-negative bacteria -- Water safety -- Dispersal -- Engineering interventions; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Infection prevention strategies need to be identified and evaluated to reduce the risk associated with contaminated hospital sinks. This study used settle plates to compare the dispersal of Gram-negative bacteria from a conventional, rear-draining clinical handwash basin (CHWB) and a 'splash-reducing' CHWB with and/or without impaired drainage. Two scenarios were assessed: dispersal from a contaminated basin and dispersal from a contaminated drain. The associated tap was operated for 1 min and, for all contamination scenarios, the 'splash-reducing' CHWB had significantly lower odds of spreading contamination than the conventional CHWB.