CANBERRA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Contaminated handbasins in healthcare settings may put patients at risk of infection and contribute to outbreaks of drug-resistant bacteria, a study has warned.
The study, led by Australia's Flinders University, compared healthcare handbasin design guidelines across 39 countries and regions with available scientific evidence, finding substantial inconsistencies and limited evidence on which design features best reduce pathogen spread, according to a university statement released on Friday.
"Microbes can build up in taps and drains. When water hits contaminated surfaces, splashing can carry them onto nearby equipment and surfaces," said Mikaela Todarello, a PhD candidate at Flinders University, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection.
The researchers said improved basin engineering could reduce splashing, limit biofilm buildup and prevent contamination from spreading, particularly in areas caring for patients most vulnerable to infection.
The study found that flat or shallow basins, drain positions directly beneath taps, water flow and bowl slope can affect splashing and microbial spread.
Further research was needed to determine which combinations of design features best reduce infection risks in real healthcare settings, Todarello said. ■
