Evaluation of droplet production by a new design of clinical handwash basin for the healthcare environment

S Yui; M Muzslay; K Karia; B Shuttleworth; S Ali; N Dudzinska; P Wilson

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2019.06.014

Evaluation of droplet production by a new design of clinical handwash basin for the healthcare environment

J Hosp Infect. 2019 Sep;103(1):e110-e114. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.06.014. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Authors

S Yui¹, M Muzslay², K Karia², B Shuttleworth³, S Ali², N Dudzinska², P Wilson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Environmental Microbiology Research Laboratory, University College London Hospitals, London, UK. Electronic address: samuel.yui@nhs.net.
² Environmental Microbiology Research Laboratory, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
³ Infection Control, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
⁴ Department of Microbiology & Virology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.

PMID: 31278954
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.06.014

Abstract

Splashing from handwash basins may be a source of bacteria in the healthcare environment. A novel splash-reducing basin was assessed for its ability to reduce droplet formation during simulated handwashing. The basin was compared to two conventional basins commonly used in healthcare. Basins were mounted in a test system and tap flushed for 30-s with and without handwashing. Droplets were visualized with fluorescent dye. With conventional basins, >1000 droplets were formed during 30-s flushes and found to spread further than 2-m. The novel basin significantly reduced the number of droplets formed during handwashing and reduced the distance spread.

Keywords: Basin; Droplet; Hand-wash; Legionella; Pseudomonas; Splash.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Equipment and Supplies*
Hand Disinfection / instrumentation*
Hand Disinfection / methods*
Health Facilities*