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Should Electronic Faucets Be Recommended in Hospitals?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Iris F. Chaberny*
Affiliation:
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
Petra Gastmeier
Affiliation:
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
*
Medical School Hannover, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany

Abstract

Microbiological examinations of electronic faucets newly installed in a hospital kitchen revealed high bacteria counts and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during a 6-month period of observation. Our data suggest that the use of electronic faucets poses a potential risk for nosocomial infection in high-risk areas of hospitals.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2004

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