2101 - The Handwash Station: Friend and Foe?

Thursday, June 13

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 103C

CE: .50

Primary Speaker(s)

Michael Weinbren, MBBS MSC FRCPATH

Consultant Microbiologist / Infection Control Doctor
KINGS MILL HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Chesterfield, England

Nothing to disclose

Moderator(s)

Bassel Molaeb, MPH, CIC, FAPIC

Infection Control Manager
Al-Moosa Specialist Hospital - KSA
Al-Ahsa, Ash Sharqiyah

Nothing to disclose

Despite handwashing being the single most important barrier to cross infection, the design and use of handwash stations leave a lot to be desired.

Using the example of the 2011 the neonatal Pseudomonas outbreak in Belfast, a turning point in water management in UK hospitals, this session will cover the important factors that must be considered in the design, placement and use of handwash stations to ensure patient safety. Participants will learn how poor handwash station design, placement, and use can lead to undetected patient transmission.

Participants will explore the relationship between water systems and sewage systems and will review emerging evidence of the role of drains in acting as a reservoir or organisms that can lead to cross-infection. This session will cover the reports linking the transmission of carbapenemase-producing organisms to water systems and understand the impact this has had on critical care units and their water services.

This session will cover the current practices around water systems and the impact on waterborne infections and will discuss possible improvements that must be made to ensure patient safety.

Learning Objectives:

Recognise the risk posed by hand wash stations.
Understand transmission events from hand wash stations in adult areas often go unrecognised. On neonatal units such transmission events should be easier to detect.
Reducing risk requires establishment of a water safety group. In reducing risk for a specific area the group needs to work with ward staff including cleaning staff.