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A multicenter investigation to characterize the risk for pathogen transmission from healthcare facility sinks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2018

Scott A. Gestrich ,
Annette L. Jencson ,
Jennifer L. Cadnum ,
Scott H. Livingston ,
Brigid M. Wilson  and
Curtis J. Donskey
Scott A. Gestrich
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Annette L. Jencson
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Jennifer L. Cadnum
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Scott H. Livingston
Affiliation:
Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
Brigid M. Wilson
Affiliation:
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Curtis J. Donskey*
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
*
Author for correspondence: Curtis J. Donskey, MD, Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center 1110W, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. E-mail: Curtis.Donskey@va.gov
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Abstract

In 4 hospitals, we demonstrated frequent dispersal of fluorescent tracer and fluoroquinolone-resistant gram-negative bacilli from sink drains to sink bowls and to surfaces outside the bowl. Fluorescent tracer dispersal correlated inversely with the depth of the sink bowl. Modifications in sink design could substantially reduce the risk for pathogen dissemination.

Type
Concise Communication
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 39 , Issue 12 , December 2018 , pp. 1467 - 1469
Copyright
© 2018 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved. 

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Footnotes

Cite this article: Gestrich S. et al. (2018). A multicenter investigation to characterize the risk for pathogen transmission from healthcare facility sinks. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 2018, 39, 1467–1469. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.191

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