Focus: Plumbing

Transmission bacteria linked to hospital sink drain

Two patients with NDM-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae had stayed in the same room


In an interview with Infection Control Today, Becky Smith, MD, medical director of infection prevention at Duke University Hospital, discussed a case of serial transmission of NDM-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae tied to a hospital sink drain.

In 2017, Duke Hospital identified a patient who had an NDM-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae. The hospital eventually found that a second were able to identify that this patient was in the same room as the room that the first patient .

Duke sampled the sink based on the literature that has implicated sink drains and P-traps and shower drain P-traps in being persistent point sources for carbapenemase-producing organisms. The hospital also actually closed the room just out of an abundance of caution and took out the sink. 

The sink drain culture from the biofilm was positive for the NDM-1 Klebsiella pneumoniae. The P-trap water was negative.

Read the article.



April 16, 2020


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

EV Charging Stations: Planning for Safety, Convenience, Expansion

Managers need to ensure patient access, coordinate with clinical operations and ensure every phase of construction supports the facility's mission.


Why Ambulatory Surgery Centers Are Turning to Dedicated HVAC Systems

Design experts from Neenan Archistruction explain how single-unit HVAC systems for each operating room enhance infection control, comfort, and resiliency.


Ground Broken on UW Health University Row Medical Center

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.


Better, More Thorough Cleaning Saves Lives

Cleanliness is the first line of defense to protect patients from killer pathogens, but many hospitals refuse to make it a priority.


Encompass Health Opens the Rehabilitation Hospital of Amarillo

The 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital is now accepting patients.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.