Impact of sink design on bacterial transmission from hospital sink drains to the surrounding sink environment tested using a fluorescent marker
J. Pirzadian (Erasmus MC)
T. Souhoka (Productzaken, Den Haag, TU Delft - Human Factors)
M. Herweijer (Wiegerinck, Arnhem)
M.E. van Heel (Erasmus MC)
Willem J.B. van Wamel (Erasmus MC)
RHM Goossens (TU Delft - Human Factors, TU Delft - Human-Centered Design)
Juliëtte A. Severin (Erasmus MC)
M. C. Vos (Erasmus MC)
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Abstract
In hospitals, sinks act as reservoirs for bacterial pathogens. To assess the extent of splashing, fluorescein dye was added to four hospital sinks previously involved in pathogen dispersal to the environment and/or transmission to patients, and one sink that was not. Applying dye to the p-trap or tailpiece did not result in any fluorescent droplets outside of the drain. When applied to the drain, droplets were found in all but one wash basin, and this was more common in the absence of a drain plug. Sink design considerations to install drain plugs, reduce dripping and offset the tap may help to prevent transmission from drains.
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