Water from hospital faucets with aerators has up to 10 times more gram-negative bacteria than water from deeper within the plumbing system, according to research published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
Researchers took water samples over one year from faucets used for equipment and hand washing at two hospitals to arrive at the findings.
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According to the study the "high level of contamination of aerators by various species of gram-negative opportunists" is a potential danger to patients with suppressed immune systems.
According to commentary published along with the study from Tara Palmore, MD, there is a need for more research on bacteria in hospital waterways: "Hospitals tend to have large, complex waterworks with low-flow areas that produce stagnation and biofilm formation; hot and cold water temperatures that are not well regulated may be ideal for bacterial growth. [..] The work [...] is valuable in quantifying the frequency, magnitude and location of the potential hazard to patients from hospital water in their facilities. There is still a significant gap in our understanding of how and when such risk translates to patient infections."