PREVENTING THE RISK OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA IN SINKS

J. DARREL HICKS April 27, 2024

An outbreak in a pediatric hospital ward underscores the challenge of eliminating these bacteria from

healthcare facilities.

On April 11, 2024, the American Journal of Infection Control published the infection prevention steps

taken to control a months-long multispecies outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales

(CPE) that occurred in a pediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017.

This study highlights the vulnerability for contamination through sinks and other water sources: even

replacing all sinks in the ward did not stop this outbreak.

The full article is here: https://apic.org/transmission-risk-of-multidrug-resistant-bacteria-appears-

highest-in-hospital-sinks

Besides replacing all the sinks in the ward, other measures implemented by the infection control

team-composed of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and microbiologists included recommending hand

disinfection after using sinks, introducing disposable tools for cleaning sinks, prohibiting mouth-

washing with sink water, enacting disinfection and drying procedures to any items exposed to sink

water, and more.

“After months of intense infection control protocols, we were at last able to declare an end to this

outbreak,” said Sadako Yoshizawa, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology

and Infectious Diseases at Toho University Omori School of Medicine, and corresponding author of

this study. “Our experience highlights the importance of focusing on sinks and other water-related

areas in hospital wards, as these are critical for CPE transmission and therefore major fronts in the

fight against antibiotic resistance.”

Conclusion: This report highlights the importance of biofilms and of sink and patient room

design in the propagation of an outbreak and suggests some strategies to reduce the risks

associated with hospital sinks.

Outbreaks of hospital sink-related infections involve a diverse spectrum of microorganisms (e.g.,

gram negative pathogens). They can be attributed to defects in sink design and hospital wastewater

systems that promote the formation and dispersion of biofilm.

Emphasis should be placed on optimizing best practices in sink design and placement to prevent

infections. Hospitals should consider developing a rational surveillance and prevention strategy based

on the current design and state of their sinks.

As more and more hospitals become aware of the potential for bacteria and “super bug”

contamination from their plumbing systems, the industry is responding by developing new fixtures and

systems that reduce or eliminate the potential of infection. These include implementing UV lights, low-

splash sinks, and exhaust in fixtures, as well as automatic injection of sanitizing agents. 

Of course, these more sophisticated fixtures’ planning, design and installation require infrastructure to

support their associated strategies. Electrical and exhaust connections, along with new piping

systems and other central systems, bolster the different strategies that are designed to reduce

infection in the care environment. Reimagining an entire system from the ground up can drive up

construction costs, but in the end reduce the overall costs of healthcare.

Existing drain disinfection chemistries and technologies are not effective at killing bacteria in drains

and they depend on employees who actually perform the service. Efforts to disinfect drains have

included complete replacement of the sink or its components, installing self-cleaning traps,

disinfection with processed steam, enhanced manual cleaning, descaling of pipes, and disinfection

with chlorine-based solutions or other liquid disinfectants. It’s important to note that liquid

disinfectants do not come in contact with the surface of the drain long enough to meet the contact

time needed to kill the bacteria.

INTRODUCING THE SAFE HEALTH SOLUTIONS

ReSET265 SINK’S FEATURES

CURVED SURFACE-this sink has implemented a curved surface to reduce splash by

coordinating and matching the exact location of the surface with the discharge location of the

faucet. This design eliminates the splash that contaminates clothing/uniforms and the

surfaces up to 36” surrounding the sink.

EXHAUST-First sink to ever incorporate exhaust through the basin into a negative pressure

air chamber (ante room) above the sink trap.

GERMICIDAL ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT-First sink to implement continuous automated

disinfection by utilizing germicidal ultra-violet lights within the negatively pressurized chamber

(ante room) to kill bacteria located within the drain trap and within the ante room before they

have a chance to contaminate the sink basin used by patients or hospital staff.

SANITIZING AGENT-First time a sink using one or more sanitizing agent injectors at various

locations throughout the open cavity and/or into the exhaust port to help clean the surfaces of

the open cavity and the exhaust port.

SMART CONTROLS-A central control system has been implemented to provide monitoring

and control to ensure that the features of the sink are functioning according to their intended

design.

Click here to view a short video to see the ReSet265 sink in action.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT

1. Contact Us-We’d love to answer any questions you have and provide custom pricing for your

specific needs.

2. Schedule an Install-After placing an order, our sinks are ready to be installed by a plumbing

company of your choice.

3. Start Saving Lives-Initial research has shown this sink to be effective at killing and 99% of germs

in hospital sink drains while preventing the formation of biofilm that has been implicated in patient

morbidity and mortality.

CONTACT US

For more information on the pricing of our sinks and a custom solution for your hospital, complete the

form and somebody will quickly respond.

Or call (402) 981-6365

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