Washbasin siphons’positive impact shown in study

In an article first published in German scientific journal, Hygiene & Medizin, Sylvia Parthé and Cornelia Meier of the Deutsches Beratungszentrum für Hygiene in Freiburg, and Andreas Welker, Britta Knorr, and Sebastian Schumacher of Landratsamt Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Gesundheitsamt, Referat Gesundheitsschutz in Heidelberg, report on a German hospital study that examined the impact of aerosol-reducing hygienic siphons in controlling a 4MRGN Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak on a neurological early stage rehabilitation ward. The study found that installing Aqua free HygieneSiphons in washbasins ‘represents an uncomplicated and cost-efficient solution to effectively prevent pathogen reflux into the washbasin from colonised pipes’

During investigations carried out between February 2013 and July 2015 into an outbreak of a 4MRGN Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate (type 00735) with VIM-2 metallo-beta lactamase on a 24-bedded phase B neurological rehabilitation ward, the only likely source identified was the washbasin drain traps (siphons).1 The outbreak was thought to have been caused by retrograde contamination of the washbasin or patients, in particular when filling the washbasin for wash training exercises. The barring of the washbasins from use from October 2014 was a considerable setback to the integrative rehabilitation of the patients, and, despite partial sanitisation of the waste water system, it was not possible to use these washbasins. 

One option contemplated for release of the washbasins was the installation of HygieneSiphons (hygienic siphons) made by Aqua free.2 HygieneSiphons are disposable devices inserted into the washbasin drain trap. They prevent retrograde contamination of the washbasin through the reflux of microorganisms from the drain trap. The findings of studies conducted hitherto by Aqua free into the effectiveness of the HygieneSiphons had been based exclusively on in vitro testing of their capacity to retain bioaerosols from the drain trap formed above the seal water.3 Nor were any study findings available to date on the clinical impact of installation of HygieneSiphons.