Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI)

HAIs or nosocomial infections are a major threat to patient safety.

They require an efficient analysis and effective control. But in particular sustainable prevention measures.

Classical prevention strategies are the interruption of the infection transmission by reinforcing hand hygiene, isolation measures and surveillance. However, in case of HAI outbreaks that have been caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGN bacteria), wastewater systems have to be considered as potential source of germs and therefore to be investigated. Wastewater and biofilm in drain systems provide ideal conditions for colonisation and persistence of MDRGN bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Klebsiella pneumonia or Escherichia coli.

There have been several reports in the news on outbreak situations caused by contaminated siphons in patient rooms. Odour traps under sinks and baby bath tubs are open pathogen reservoirs and sources for emitting bacteria.

Water flowing into the sink drain produces aerosols on the surface of the seal water which can - depending on the bacterial contamination of the seal water - lead to a transmission of bacteria from the seal water to the hands of patients or to the surrounding surfaces.

The MoveoSiphon ST24 provides an effective outbreak protection. It continuously and completely cleans and disinfects the trap liquid in the odour trap under the sink automatically. The trap liquid is disinfected by means of thermal disinfection whilst the vibration cleaning prevents a biofilm formation. Thus, the odour trap is permanently excluded being a pathogen reservoir and source of outbreaks.

Sensitive areas in hospitals as neonatal units, intensive care units or transplant units could benefit from this kind of “sink disinfection” as the prevention of a retrograde contamination by infected aerosols is particularly important for seriously ill patients and premature babies. The hygiene siphon prevents the outbreak of HAI caused by waterborne bacteria arising from the water in the odour trap.

As a result, the antibiotic consumption is reduced and the incidence of resistance to antibiotics decreases.

MoveoSiphon ST24 Brochure