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Updated: Nov 8, 2025

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
A splash-reducing clinical handwash basin reduces droplet-mediated dispersal from a sink contaminated with
P Aranega-Bou1, C Cornbill1, N Q Verlander2
1Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK.
Abstract:
Infection prevention strategies need to be identified and evaluated to reduce the risk associated with contaminated hospital sinks. This study used settle plates to compare the dispersal of Gram-negative bacteria from a conventional, rear-draining clinical handwash basin (CHWB) and a 'splash-reducing' CHWB with and/or without impaired drainage. Two scenarios were assessed: dispersal from a contaminated basin and dispersal from a contaminated drain. The associated tap was operated for 1 min and, for all contamination scenarios, the 'splash-reducing' CHWB had significantly lower odds of spreading contamination than the conventional CHWB.
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