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

微生物对抗生素的抗药性越来越强，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人数有所增加。水槽和管道似乎在这些生物的繁殖和传播中发挥了作用，这在一定程度上是由于节水技术。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和与水槽中发现的微生物相关的感染风险。这项研究将针对世界卫生组织在全球抗菌素耐药性行动计划中列出的关键优先病原体(铜绿假单胞菌、嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌和肠杆菌科粘质沙雷氏菌)。将在新生儿重症监护病房应用不同的技术和方法，以防止这些微生物对患者的定植和扩散：自动清洁排水管、使用点设备以及排水管和水槽的化学消毒程序。我们的结果将有助于通过优化的工程设计为更安全的医院铺平道路。由于我们正在与提出建议和建设医院的人合作，我们的成果将改善医院设计。

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.