The problem with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

RCN members may be aware that a number of reports of infection due to the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been reported across the UK and Europe in acute hospitals  caring for high risk patients such as adult and paediatric critical care, neonatal, renal, transplant, haemato-oncology and burns units also known as ‘augmented care’ settings.

The infections are associated with water sources and taps and therefore the four governments of the United Kingdom have developed guidance for healthcare providers on potential contamination of these with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nurses and health care assistants are central to supporting work to reduce the potential infection risk to patients where taps and water sources may be contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in those units identified as high risk. 

While specialist infection prevention nurses are supporting Estates teams with issues relating to tap design and management of infections, non-specialist nurses also have a contribution to make to prevent infection associated with water sources. 

How can nursing support efforts to reduce this risk of infection?

RCN members can support this work by:

• reading local policies and procedures in their organisations relating to this
• ensuring that hand washing sinks are only be used for the purpose of hand washing and that used water is not disposed of down sinks (for example water used for cleaning)
• disposing of any body fluids (like urine) in dirty utility areas and not down hand washing sinks
• working with cleaning and housekeeping providers to ensure sinks are cleaned regularly and in a manner that minimises contamination of the tap (faucet). This means that taps should be cleaned before the rest of the hand basin – check local cleaning schedules for more information
• nsuring that patient equipment is not cleaned or stored at hand washing sinks (like nebulisers) and that local policies are followed regarding decontamination of patient equipment

The RCN Infection prevention network will issue more information once available. To join the network members should email ipc@rcn.org.uk with their RCN membership number.