Abstract

Aim:  To evaluate the role of electronic faucets in a newborn intensive care unit during a Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak. Methods:  After three patients had P. aeruginosa bacteremia, environmental cultures including those from patient rooms, incubator, ventilators, total parenteral nutrition solutions, disinfection solutions, electronic and hand-operated faucet filters/water samples after removing filters and staff hands were taken. Results:  Only filters of electronic faucets and water samples after removing filters and one liquid hand soap showed P. aeruginosa (3-7 × 106 cfu/mL). We have removed the electronic faucets and new elbow-operated faucets were installed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of outbreak-blood culture isolates from two patients and isolates from electronic water faucets/one liquid hand soap indicated the presence of 90.7% genetically related subtype, probably from the same clone. Water cultures from new faucets were all clean after installation and after 7 months. Conclusion:  We suggest that electronic faucets may be considered a potential risk for P. aeruginosa in hospitals, especially in high-risk units.

© 2011 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2011 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).