Bacterial outbreak in NICU linked to contaminated tap water

An investigation were associated with absence of point-of-use filters on faucets


A recent study linked a 2013-2014 Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit to contaminated hospital tap water, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality website.

Thirty-one babies were infected in the outbreak from June 1, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2014. 

An investigation into the outbreak found the cases were associated with absence of point-of-use filters on faucets in patient rooms.

The hospital installed point-of-use filters as a short-term solution, but did have to eradicate P. aeruginosa from the water system and faucets as a long-term fix.

Read the article.

 

 



June 14, 2017


Topic Area: Infection Control


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