Re-engineering of the hospital sink environment to reduce transmission of multi-drug resistant opportunistic pathogens

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Microbes are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics and are often found in sinks**and plumbing in hospitals. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of infections**caused by these organisms. Sinks and plumbing seem to play a role in multiplication and**transmission of these organisms, partly due to water-saving technologies. We intend to**reduce patient exposure and risk of infection associated with organisms found in sinks**through improved engineering measures, design and risk management. Critical priority**pathogens listed by the World Health Organization in the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial**Resistance will be targeted in this study (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas**maltophilia and Enterobacteriaceae - Serratia marcescens). Different technologies and**approaches will be applied in neonatal intensive care unit rooms to prevent colonization and**dispersion of these organisms to patient: self-cleaning drains, point-of-use devices and**chemical disinfection procedures of the drain and sink. Our results will help pave the way for**safer hospitals through optimal engineering design. As we are partnering with people who**make recommendations and build hospitals, our results will improve hospital designs.