Preventing the Spread of Water-Borne Pathogens in Healthcare
There are many pathogens associated with Healthcare Acquired Infections (HCAI’S) such as legionella, pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli to name a few and almost all pathogens associated with HCAIs are waterborne and originate this way. They are transmitted in a variety of ways, including touch through poor or infrequent hand washing, water splashing onto sterile equipment, clothing or patient beds which then come into contact with patients and from airborne water (aerosol), which is then inhaled by patients.
Typically levers for hospital mixers tend to not be set correctly and make contact with the wall. However, the main issue is that the lever itself creates a touch point leading to contact with multiple users, increasing the risk of transmission. Given the conditions, the lever can quickly become a hotspot for pathogens to spread from user to user. Current guidelines states that these taps are for use with elbows, in order to decrease hand-to-tap contact, this is not always the case as users forget to use their elbows, and default to switching off with their hands.
Angel Guard has solved this issue by creating its 100% touch-free clinical washbasin. Water, soap and hand gel are delivered without any touch requirements. Through doing this the units have eliminated a significant source for pathogens to spread from.
Commonly, pathogens spread through the air via splashing. This can cause patients, drug preparation cups and other sterile equipment to become contaminated. Many washbasins are sadly designed to encourage this splash and spread of aerosol. Even top of the line products that incorporate anti-splash protection, only does so when hands are not within the waterflow. The risk factor is increased further, given that current washbasins also have the risk of water hitting off the waste outlet and releasing the harmful pathogens into the air, spreading contamination further.
Angel Guard’s patent-pending washbasin cylinder has been constructed precisely to attack this issue head on. The slope of the cylinder itself aids in the slowing down of the water, and the waste outlet is positioned in such a way that the initial impact point of the water won’t interact with it. The Angel Guard Aero Blade produces a blade of laminar water, reducing splashing dramatically. Several studies have demonstrated how transmission of water droplets and aerosol can occur up to two metres away and potentially contaminate the surrounding clinical areas but with Angel Guard, any aerosol and/or splashing that is generated is contained within the innovative design thus preventing wider spread.