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

Publication date: Available online 3 July 2019Source: Journal of Hospital InfectionAuthor(s): Samuel Yui, Monika Muzslay, Kush Karia, Bronwen Shuttleworth, Shanom Ali, Natalia Dudzinska, Peter WilsonSummarySplashing 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 seconds with and without handwashing. Droplets were visualised with fluorescent dye. With conventional basins,>1000 droplets were formed during 30 second flushes and found to spread further than 2m. The novel basin significantly reduced the number of droplets formed during handwashing and reduced the distance spread.
Source: Journal of Hospital Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research