In January 2012, three babies died from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in Northern Ireland and the source was traced back to the hospital water supply.
As a result the UK Department of Health (DH) rapidly drew up a new best practice technical guidance published 31 March 2012 to provide advice on what actions healthcare organisations should take (within augmented care units) i.e.:
• Assessing the risk to patients if water systems become contaminated with P. aeruginosa or other opportunistic pathogens.
• What actions to take if water systems become contaminated with P. aeruginosa.
• Protocols for sampling, testing and monitoring water for P. aeruginosa.
• Developing local water safety plans.
Northern Ireland published its guidance 30 April 2012, which follows the DH format, but specifically including neonatal units caring for babies at levels 1, 2 and 3.
A third document has just been released by the DH from the NHS Technology Adoption Centre (NTAC) and is intended to be used to aid the business case for implementation of POU filters in the UK. Pall-Aquasafe filters were submitted to the DH as part of their Innovative Technology Adoption (iTAPP) process along with over 100 other products. The Pall products were one of 22 chosen with level 3 approval - i.e. high quality clinical evidence and cost saving potential. The briefing pack is available on the DH website.
PALL MEDICAL provides a diverse range of filtration membranes to the healthcare market for critical contamination control. Specifically engineered for the filtration of blood and its components, hospital water, respiration, parenteral therapy and cardiovascular and general surgical applications, the filtration products are a critical element for infection control and blood safety.
The Pall-Aquasafe Water Filter range provide an instantaneous, permanent and clinical barrier to the passage of waterborne microorganisms, protecting both hospital staff and patients. Such organisms include Legionella spp, Pseudomonas spp, Aspergillus spp, Cryptosporidium spp and Mycobacterium spp. which may be of particular concern to immunocompromised patients. The 0.2 µm membrane effectively prevents their passage, thus providing an instantaneous barrier to protect such a vulnerable patient group. These filters can be quickly connected to either taps or showers to ensure immediate and complete protection against waterborne microorganisms.
