Hands-Free Faucets Harbor Bacteria

摘要

A study of newly installed hands-free faucets at Johns Hopkins Hospital shows these fixtures are more likely to be contaminated with one of the most common and hazardous bacteria in hospitals than old-style fixtures with separate handles for hot and cold water. "Newer is not necessarily better when it comes to infection control in hospitals, especially when it comes to warding off potential hazards from water-borne bacteria, such as Legio-nella species," says Lisa Maragakis, director of hospital epidemiology and infection control at Johns Hopkins Hospital, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and senior study investigator and infectious disease specialist.