A recent study linked a 2013-2014 Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit to contaminated hospital tap water, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality website.
Thirty-one babies were infected in the outbreak from June 1, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2014.
An investigation into the outbreak found the cases were associated with absence of point-of-use filters on faucets in patient rooms.
The hospital installed point-of-use filters as a short-term solution, but did have to eradicate P. aeruginosa from the water system and faucets as a long-term fix.
This Quick Read was submitted by Cathryn Jakicic, Healthcare Industries Editor, FacilitiesNet. For about hospital campuses and other medical facilities, visit https://www.facilitiesnet.com/healthcarefacilities.
