The website of the Clinical Services Journal

Reducing the risk of waterborne infection

A new protocol is boosting decontamination options for thermostatic mixing taps, which could help improve infection prevention.

Concerns have been raised about the threat posed to patients from tap contamination in healthcare facilities. However, a new protocol is boosting decontamination options for thermostatic mixing taps, which could help improve infection prevention. Susan Pearson reports.

According to recent stories in The Guardian and Sun (January 30, 2016), injured military personnel at the Ministry of Defence’s rehabilitation centre Headley Court have unknowingly been bathing for months in tap water contaminated with the potentially pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Many of the patients at the centre, which is reported to have had numerous maintenance problems, have open wounds that would be particularly susceptible to dangerous pseudomonas infections.

Yet there are very comprehensive guidelines on how to prevent such issues. Although the recognition of water as a source of pseudomonas infections has historically been slow, the Department of Health’s landmark  2013 document,  the Addendum to Health Memorandum  04-01 on the control of Legionella:  ‘Pseudomonas aeruginosa – advice for augmented care units’,  has established best practice, including risk assessments that consider water quality in relation to high risk patients.1 Since the trigger for these guidelines came from the much publicised 2011/12 Belfast neonatal incident, in which the P. aeruginosa infections from which three Northern Irish babies died were traced back to contaminated taps, one of the HTM 04-01 Addendum main areas of focus has been to look at what aspects of taps might promote pseudomonas growth and how to prevent this happening. Because the Addendum acknowledges that its recommendations can only be based on the scientific knowledge available at the time of publication, the design of taps has been evolving alongside growing understanding of how pseudomonas is transmitted via water. 

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025