Infection control
user only needs to pass a hand in front of it to activate it. For heavy traffic areas, it is much safer to use as no taps are needed, and the warm water shuts off automatically after the cycle has completed. As the sinks dispense warm water at controlled temperatures, within the HSE guidelines, they remove the risk of scalding
Setting up the sinks is also
straightforward. They can be plugged into a normal 13-amp socket and the unit produces a carefully controlled ten- second flow of warm water - the perfect amount for a high-quality hand wash without any wastage.
Energy use is low: the built-in water heaters use less than 20 per cent of the energy needed for any other type of system with the water being heated to a comfortable temperature. No heat is wasted by having to mix hot and cold water and there is no heat loss from storage tanks, pipe work, taps or fittings. This flexibility means that a remote or new location away from main buildings - without existing plumbing in place - can be supported easily with a dedicated portable sink.
The sinks have been used throughout the UK to support individual isolation wards during infection outbreaks and when planned or unplanned maintenance was carried out and existing sink areas were not functioning. Even prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, a number of sites recognised that the sinks are a vital part of the back-up services for the operation of the buildings. Sink units can be ordered, kept in storage and then switched on when and where needed. The pandemic has meant a huge uplift in orders for the sinks to allow for ward expansion and the add further isolation and care rooms.
Infection control in care homes Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, care home residents were at risk to the regular influenza and norovirus outbreaks by sharing air, space, food and equipment. The current situation has given even greater focus on protecting residents and staff.
UK Department of Health and Social Care guidelines on the prevention and control of infection in care homes highlight the previously stated position. ‘Hand hygiene is widely acknowledged to be the single most important activity that reduces the spread of infection. Yet evidence suggests that many care workers do not decontaminate their hands when required nor use the correct technique.2 ‘Hand hygiene should be performed
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a separate bathroom, where possible. If the design and capacity of the care home and the number of residents involved is manageable, it is preferable to isolate residents into separate floors or wings of the home. Residents in isolation should not attend communal areas, including shared lavatories and bathrooms.
Symptom management measures should be taken to keep the resident as comfortable as possible. This may include medicines that will need to be prescribed and monitored by the resident’s GP.3 Portable sinks can help control infection outbreaks by supporting isolated residents and providing back-up support for existing hand washing facilities, as well as being used in rest or reception areas by visitors and staff. As they can be placed at point of need, they are ideal for residents who may have to be isolated or have restricted mobility, allowing them and staff access to warm water in their rooms.
They are also easy for less able residents to use as they are activated by a sensor and are safe to use as the warm water shuts off automatically after the cycle has completed. It also worth noting that as the sinks dispense warm water at a controlled temperature that is within the HSE guidelines, there is no risk of scalding.
immediately before and after every episode of direct person contact and after any activity or contact that could potentially result in hands becoming contaminated.’
The guidance continues: ‘Hand hygiene facilities that include, at a minimum, a hand wash basin with hot and cold water (preferably via a mixer tap), liquid soap and disposable paper towels, should be available and easily accessible. ‘A lack of or inappropriate facilities should be brought to the attention of the registered provider or manager of the care home who has a duty of care to ensure that there are adequate facilities and materials available to prevent cross infection within the home.’
These preventative steps are now extremely important as well as having a strategy to deal with residents that have been tested positive as detailed on the government website.
Any resident presenting with symptoms of Covid-19 should be promptly isolated - if not already - and tested. This should be in a single room with
Use of the sinks can allow zones to be set up, ensuring anyone passing through the zone has access to hand washing that must be completed prior to further entry into the next room or next part of the building.
A sink hire service
The hand washing sinks cope with last minute needs, that range from infection outbreaks to the failure of a building or ward, water supply.
Teal can respond with their product rental and support service - the Teal Task Force - that includes short-term and long-term hire, dedicated delivery and set up by Teal staff.
Demand for this has grown, covering the seasonal norovirus outbreaks, and the unprecedented demand to support the hospitals coping with the Covid-19 outbreak.
A range of sinks to suit different locations
As pressure mounts on budgets, the use of high-quality portable sink units can assist by adding facilities without significant expenditure. They can allow short-term expansion to cope with unexpected demand, convert non-
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • January 2021
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