A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk
Abstract Introduction Sinks have been introduced near patients to improve hand hygiene as part of infection prevention and control measures. However, sinks are a known reservoir for gram-negative bacterial pathogens in particular and their removal to prevent bacterial infections in intensive care pa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-024-01493-3 |
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| author | Giovanni-Battista Fucini Robert Abe Elke Lemke Petra Gastmeier |
| author_facet | Giovanni-Battista Fucini Robert Abe Elke Lemke Petra Gastmeier |
| author_sort | Giovanni-Battista Fucini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Sinks have been introduced near patients to improve hand hygiene as part of infection prevention and control measures. However, sinks are a known reservoir for gram-negative bacterial pathogens in particular and their removal to prevent bacterial infections in intensive care patients is currently recommended by several international guidelines. Methods Healthcare workers (HCWs) in 15 intensive care units (ICUs) in Germany were given the opportunity to complete an anonymous survey on the use of sinks between August 2022 and January 2023. Observations were then made in three participating ICUs to determine the frequency and reason for contact with the sink. Results 258 questionnaires were returned (nurses 87%). 90% found it useful to very useful to have a sink in the patient room, and 56% reported using it daily for hand hygiene. We observed 33 contacts between nurses and sinks over 17 h. In 20/33 (60%) cases, the sink was used for waste disposal. In 3/33 (10%) it was used for hand washing. Discussion Sinks are still used for daily care in intensive care units. Educational Interventions in existing buildings to minimise risk through “sink hygiene” (i.e. separation of sinks for water disposal and uptake) can make an important contribution to infection prevention. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dec0e68c42de4cd6a3e579d5ed6cebfd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2047-2994 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
| spelling | doaj-art-dec0e68c42de4cd6a3e579d5ed6cebfd2024-11-24T12:43:23ZengBMCAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control2047-29942024-11-011311610.1186/s13756-024-01493-3A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize riskGiovanni-Battista Fucini0Robert Abe1Elke Lemke2Petra Gastmeier3Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinInstitute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinInstitute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinInstitute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinAbstract Introduction Sinks have been introduced near patients to improve hand hygiene as part of infection prevention and control measures. However, sinks are a known reservoir for gram-negative bacterial pathogens in particular and their removal to prevent bacterial infections in intensive care patients is currently recommended by several international guidelines. Methods Healthcare workers (HCWs) in 15 intensive care units (ICUs) in Germany were given the opportunity to complete an anonymous survey on the use of sinks between August 2022 and January 2023. Observations were then made in three participating ICUs to determine the frequency and reason for contact with the sink. Results 258 questionnaires were returned (nurses 87%). 90% found it useful to very useful to have a sink in the patient room, and 56% reported using it daily for hand hygiene. We observed 33 contacts between nurses and sinks over 17 h. In 20/33 (60%) cases, the sink was used for waste disposal. In 3/33 (10%) it was used for hand washing. Discussion Sinks are still used for daily care in intensive care units. Educational Interventions in existing buildings to minimise risk through “sink hygiene” (i.e. separation of sinks for water disposal and uptake) can make an important contribution to infection prevention.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-024-01493-3SinksInfection preventionICUHand hygiene |
| spellingShingle | Giovanni-Battista Fucini Robert Abe Elke Lemke Petra Gastmeier A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Sinks Infection prevention ICU Hand hygiene |
| title | A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk |
| title_full | A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk |
| title_fullStr | A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk |
| title_full_unstemmed | A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk |
| title_short | A multicentric survey and single-centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care: training is needed to minimize risk |
| title_sort | multicentric survey and single centre observational study of usage behaviour of sinks in intensive care training is needed to minimize risk |
| topic | Sinks Infection prevention ICU Hand hygiene |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-024-01493-3 |
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