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

微生物对抗生素的耐药性越来越强，经常在医院的水槽和管道中发现。最近，由这些微生物引起的感染数量有所增加。水槽和管道似乎在这些生物的繁殖和传播中发挥了作用，部分原因是节水技术。我们打算通过改进工程措施、设计和风险管理来减少患者接触与水槽中发现的生物体相关的感染风险。世界卫生组织在《抗微生物药物耐药性全球行动计划》中列出的关键优先病原体（铜绿假单胞菌、嗜麦芽窄养单胞菌和粘质沙雷氏肠杆菌科）将成为本研究的目标。新生儿重症监护病房将采用不同的技术和方法来防止这些微生物在患者体内定植和扩散：自清洁排水管、使用点设备和排水管和水槽的化学消毒程序。我们的研究结果将有助于通过优化工程设计为更安全的医院铺平道路。当我们与提出建议和建造医院的人合作时，我们的成果将改善医院的设计。

Microbes are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics and are often found in sinksand plumbing in hospitals. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of infectionscaused by these organisms. Sinks and plumbing seem to play a role in multiplication andtransmission of these organisms, partly due to water-saving technologies. We intend toreduce patient exposure and risk of infection associated with organisms found in sinksthrough improved engineering measures, design and risk management. Critical prioritypathogens listed by the World Health Organization in the Global Action Plan on AntimicrobialResistance will be targeted in this study (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia and Enterobacteriaceae - Serratia marcescens). Different technologies andapproaches will be applied in neonatal intensive care unit rooms to prevent colonization anddispersion of these organisms to patient: self-cleaning drains, point-of-use devices andchemical disinfection procedures of the drain and sink. Our results will help pave the way forsafer hospitals through optimal engineering design. As we are partnering with people whomake recommendations and build hospitals, our results will improve hospital designs.