Low-pressure faucets have been blamed for infections of four babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and special care baby unit at Royal Bolton Hospital in the United Kingdom last year, according to This Is Lancashire.
The outbreak of antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa had spread through contaminated faucets and sinks that staff had been using to wash their hands. An investigation found that the faucets were not being cleaned adequately.
The faucets were designed to save water, so they were unlikely to be flushing with enough force or volume to remove bacteria. Cleaners were unaware of the presence of the bacteria, so their usual cleaning methods were not removing the bug.
The faucets have since been replaced.
Cathryn Jakicic is healthcare industries editor of FacilitiesNet.com. For more information on hospital campuses and other medical facilities, click here.
