Use of a stop valve to enhance disinfectant exposure may improve sink drain disinfection

To the Editor—Sinks in healthcare facilities are a potential reservoir for dissemination of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli and Candida spp.1,2 Unfortunately, sink drainage systems provide a favorable environment for pathogen colonization and biofilm formation, but they are not amenable to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection control and hospital epidemiology 2019-02, Vol.40 (2), p.1-256
Main Authors: Cadnum, Jennifer L, Livingston, Scott H, Gestrich, Scott A, Jencson, Annette L, Wilson, Brigid M, Donskey, Curtis J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilms
Colonization
Disinfectants
Disinfection
Disinfection & disinfectants
Experimental methods
Hydrogen peroxide
Laboratories
Microorganisms
Nursing
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Summary:To the Editor—Sinks in healthcare facilities are a potential reservoir for dissemination of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli and Candida spp.1,2 Unfortunately, sink drainage systems provide a favorable environment for pathogen colonization and biofilm formation, but they are not amenable to cleaning and disinfection.3 Pouring disinfectants into sink drains has been reported to be beneficial, but reductions in sink colonization have often been limited or transient.4 We hypothesized that disinfectants poured into drains might have limited efficacy in part because they flow rapidly down the drain, providing inadequate contact time and poor penetration into many of the areas harboring microorganisms. [...]we conducted a pilot study to test the hypothesis that approaches that allow instillation of disinfectant throughout the proximal drainage system for a prolonged period would improve the efficacy of liquid disinfectants. The experimental methods were as described previously with the following exceptions: (1) the valve was placed proximal to the P trap approximately 15 cm below the strainer; (2) the disinfectant used was a commercial improved hydrogen peroxide product; and (3) the sinks were operated by patients and staff as needed. [...]installing valves in sink drainage systems may not be feasible for some sink designs and could be costly and labor intensive. [...]we are currently investigating several simpler approaches to achieve the same effect.
ISSN:0899-823X
1559-6834
DOI:10.1017/ice.2018.318