Investigation on the pollution status of hand washing facilities in use on the surrounding environment

Abstract

Abstract Aim To detect the pollution of faucets in hospitals and the splash during hand washing, and to explore the reasonable layout of hand washing pools. Methods Two faucets with roughly the same spatial layout in the ICU of a third-class first-class general hospital were selected, and the farthest splashing distance and specific splashing points were measured by color paper. Samples were detected by ATP detection technology and routine microbial detection method, and the pollution of faucets was analyzed. Findings After 72h of daily hand-washing activities, the furthest distance to the splash point was about 100cm around the faucet, and the place 40cm-110cm around the faucet was polluted seriously. The farthest distance that the splash point reached was about 80cm around the faucet with the center of the circle, and the area 40cm-60cm around the faucet was heavily polluted. The distance from the water outlet of the long handle and the short handle faucet to the detection point had a high negative correlation (r = − 0.811, P<0.001) and a moderate negative correlation (r=−0.475, P=0.001) with the number of splash points, respectively. The qualified rates of ATP detection and microbial culture were 25% and 15%, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and other pathogenic bacteria were detected in the water outlet of the faucet and the surrounding environment. Conclusion Safe hand-washing facilities are the guarantee of hand hygiene effect. Clean objects and objects related to patients should not be placed within 1m range near the water outlet of faucet. Anti-splash baffle should be installed as much as possible when conditions permit to reduce the pollution caused by splash during hand washing.