Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections due to electronic faucets in a neonatal intensive care unit

Yapicioglu H., Gokmen T., Yıldızdas D., Köksal F., Ozlu F., Kale-Cekınmez E., ...More

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, vol.48, no.5, pp.430-434, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 48 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02248.x
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.430-434
  • Keywords: electronic faucet, newborn, P, aeruginosa infection, NON-TOUCH FITTINGS, TAP WATER, NOSOCOMIAL COLONIZATION, HOSPITALS, CONTAMINATION, OUTBREAK, TRANSMISSION, LEGIONELLA, TURKEY, RISK
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

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 (37 x 10(6) 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.