Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen that commonly colonizes hospital water supplies,
including taps and sinks [
[1]
]. It has been reported previously that water outlets are the most likely source of
P. aeruginosa nosocomial infections in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) [
[2]
], and it has been described how widespread introduction of control measures, both
human factors and engineering solutions, can reduce infections [
[3]
,
[4]
]. Joung et al. demonstrated how water droplets can release aerosols [
[5]
]. Similarly, Estrada-Perez et al. showed the extent of dispersal of water droplets when showering [
[6]
]. Stevens et al. demonstrated that a wide range of waterborne pathogens can result in infections [
[7]
]. Hence, there is a theoretical risk of water droplets harbouring waterborne pathogens
contaminating surrounding areas, leading to transmission. This study examined splashing
from water outlets on an ICU, and undertook an unannounced audit to determine which
items were located within 2 m of a sink (‘splash zone’).To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- Continued transmission of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a wash hand basin tap in a critical care unit.J Hosp Infect. 2016; 94: 8-12
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in augmented care area: the molecular ecology and transmission dynamics in four large UK hospitals.J Hosp Infect. 2021; 111: 162-168
- Engineering waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa out of a critical care unit.Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2017; 220: 1014-1019
- Tap out: reducing waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa transmission in an intensive care unit.J Hosp Infect. 2019; 102: 75-81
- Bioaerosol generation of raindrops on soil.Nat Comms. 2017; 814668
- Droplet distribution and airborne bacteria in an experimental shower unit.Water Res. 2018; 130: 47-57
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children case note review overview report.2021 (Available at:)
- Seeking the source of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a recently opened hospital: an observational study using whole genome sequencing.BMJ. 2014; 4e006278
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 02, 2023
Accepted:
January 20,
2023
Received:
October 26,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
