Banish Bacteria During Bathing

When you think of water, you picture something clean and pure, right? Unfortunately, bacteria can thrive in water, potentially leading to infections.

An Infection Control Today article took a look at water that enters healthcare facilities through water distribution systems and found that it can contain bacteria ranging from Legionellae (which cause Legionnaires’ disease), opportunistic molds and Chryseobaterium meningosepticum, which can cause meningitis.1

In light of these findings, a number of experts have encouraged facilities to eliminate using water wherever possible. When water cannot be eliminated, it should be monitored closely and disinfected either chemically or through heating.1

Reducing water use during bathing
The staff and residents at your facility can come in contact with the bacteria in water in any number of ways, including ice machines, showerheads, bathtubs, toilets and taps. One opportunity for cutting down on water use is with bathing and perineal care. Many rinse-free cleansers – available in foam, cream and gel formulas – can be applied and removed with soft, dry cloths, eliminating the need for water.

Pre-moistened washcloths are another good option for both perineal and full-body cleansing. These cloths often contain skin-soothing ingredients, such as aloe. More advanced formulations cleanse, moisturize, freshen and soothe the skin, reducing the need for multiple products. Manufacturers of these products have also taken other steps to reduce the risk of cross contamination, such as adding single-washcloth dispensers to their packaging.

Additional information
The CDC maintains a Healthy Water page on its website that can be found at www.cdc.gov/healthywater. The page offers guidance on using water safely in areas ranging from the medical field to private drinking water systems.

Reference
1 Burns S. Water: Is it a Breeding Ground for Bacteria in Your Facility? Infection Control Today. Available at: http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/2002/10/water-is-it-a-breeding-ground-for-bacteria-in-you.aspx. Accessed September 14, 2011.