Infection prevention
to meeting with representatives from the New Hospitals Programme for their sign off. Risk assessment documents were produced to ensure appropriate mitigations were in place. Ultimately, the team from the New Hospitals
Programme considered that the reduction of water outlets was an “innovation towards patient safety”, rather than a derogation, and perceived that it was a good opportunity to veer away from outdated guidance to improve patient safety. The new technical bulletin, released in August
2024, endorses this risk-based approach for water hygiene, and states: “Wash-hand basins and clinical sinks should not be fitted in high- risk patient rooms where the risk assessment indicates there is too high a risk of infection from outlets and associated drainage.” It adds that: “It is important that all parties
involved understand that buildings that are compliant are not necessarily safe.” In conclusion, Pat Cattini commented that “it
may seem an anathema for an infection control nurse to advocate the removal of washing basins.” However, “we need to carefully think about how we use them going forward.” CSJ
References 1. Pseudomonas bacteria found in 459 water outlets of new maternity unit – Dodds 26 November 2024.
https://www.thenational. scot/news/national/
24751698.pseudomonas- bacteria-found-459-water-outlets-new- maternity-unit---dodds/
2. 21 patients infected by bacteria in the water supply at Royal Papworth Hospital, 7 September 2020.
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/ news/local-news/21-patients-infected- bacteria-water-18893946
3. Water at two Glasgow hospitals had ‘widespread contamination’, BBC News, 22 February 2019.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ uk-scotland-glasgow-west-47336555
4. Fucini GB, Geffers C, Schwab F, Behnke M, Sunder W, Moellmann J, Gastmeier P. Sinks in patient rooms in ICUs are associated with higher rates of hospital-acquired infection: a retrospective analysis of 552 ICUs. J
Hosp Infect. 2023 Sep;139:99-105. doi: 10.1016/j. jhin.2023.05.018. Epub 2023 Jun 10. PMID: 37308060.
5. Halstead FD, Quick J, Niebel M, Garvey M, Cumley N, Smith R, Neal T, Roberts P, Hardy K, Shabir S, Walker JT, Hawkey P, Loman NJ. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in augmented care: the molecular ecology and transmission dynamics in four large UK hospitals. J Hosp Infect. 2021 May;111:162-168. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.020. Epub 2021 Feb 1. PMID: 33539934.
6. Garvey MI, Williams N, Gardiner A, Ruston C, Wilkinson MAC, Kiernan M, Walker JT, Holden E. The sink splash zone. J Hosp Infect. 2023 May;135:154-156. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.01.020. Epub 2023 Mar 3. PMID: 36870392.
7. Hopman J, Tostmann A, Wertheim H, Bos M, Kolwijck E, Akkermans R, Sturm P, Voss A, Pickkers P, Vd Hoeven H. Reduced rate of intensive care unit acquired gram-negative bacilli after removal of sinks and introduction of ‘water-free’ patient care. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2017 Jun 10;6:59. doi: 10.1186/s13756-017-0213-0. PMID: 28616203; PMCID: PMC5466749.
8. Garvey MI, Bradley CW, Holden KL, Hewins P, Ngui SL, Tedder R, Jumaa P, Smit E. Use of genome sequencing to identify hepatitis C virus transmission in a renal healthcare setting. J Hosp Infect. 2017 Jun;96(2):157-162. doi: 10.1016/j. jhin.2017.01.002. Epub 2017 Jan 16. PMID: 28196726. 9. Garvey MI, Bradley CW, Holden E. Waterborne
Join IPS’s online talk on the built environment
Join IPS online, on the 25 March 2025, for an insightful talk with Professor Catherine Noakes, Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Leeds. A leading expert in ventilation, indoor air quality, and infection control, Professor Noakes will explore the
38
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I March 2025
critical role of ventilation in healthcare settings and its impact on infection control. This is a must-attend session for anyone involved in infection prevention and control, healthcare facility management, or environmental engineering. Register at: https://tinyurl. com/2et8ep6r
Pseudomonas aeruginosa transmission in a hematology unit? Am J Infect Control. 2018 Apr;46(4):383-386. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.10.013. Epub 2017 Nov 28. PMID: 29195780.
10. Halstead FD, Quick J, Niebel M, Garvey M, Cumley N, Smith R, Neal T, Roberts P, Hardy K, Shabir S, Walker JT, Hawkey P, Loman NJ. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in augmented care: the molecular ecology and transmission dynamics in four large UK hospitals. J Hosp Infect. 2021 May;111:162-168. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.020. Epub 2021 Feb 1. PMID: 33539934.
11. Garvey MI, Bradley CW, Wilkinson MAC, Bradley C, Holden E. Engineering waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa out of a critical care unit. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2017 Aug;220(6):1014-1019. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.05.011. Epub 2017 May 31. PMID: 28592358.
12. Garvey MI, Williams N, Gardiner A, Ruston C, Wilkinson MAC, Kiernan M, Walker JT, Holden E. The sink splash zone. J Hosp Infect. 2023 May;135:154-156. doi: 10.1016/j.j hin.2023.01.020. Epub 2023 Mar 3. PMID: 36870392.
About the Infection
Prevention Society The Infection Prevention Society (IPS) is a charity with 2,000 members, all working together to prevent infections that can be avoided. Its goal is to create a world where no one is harmed by a preventable infection. It works with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public to share knowledge, support good practices, and improve infection prevention in healthcare. This helps make care safer for patients, their families, and healthcare workers. IPS’s next annual conference, Infection
Prevention 2025, will be held in Brighton on 29–30 September. To find out more, visit
https://ip2025conference.co.uk/
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