Water Sources and Potential for Infection from Taps and Sinks

The Department of Health for England has become aware of a number of reports emanating from English NHS Trusts and in addition information provided by Public Health Wales on two incidents concerning outbreaks of infection with pseudomonads. These incidents have occurred in augmented care wards (eg high dependency, adult & neonatal critical care, renal and burns units). Hand washing facilities have been identified as the source. There is evidence of persistent colonisation of the faucets and both human and environmental strains have been involved. It is important for all NHS Trusts and their infection control teams to assess the risk to their patients and where appropriate establish if the water used in hand washing has an unacceptable bacterial count.