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Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections due to electronic faucets in a neonatal intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Yapicioglu Hacer,
Gokmen Tulin Guven,
Yildizdas Dincer,
Koksal Fatih,
Ozlu Ferda,
KaleCekinmez Eren,
Mert Kurthan,
Mutlu Birgul,
Satar Mehmet,
Narli Nejat,
Candevir Aslihan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02248.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pseudomonas aeruginosa , pulsed field gel electrophoresis , intensive care unit , intensive care , neonatal intensive care unit , electronic data , incubator , hand washing , intensive care medicine , emergency medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , pediatrics , bacteria , hygiene , pathology , biochemistry , chemistry , genetics , genotype , information retrieval , biology , computer science , gene
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.