Patient survey on handwash basins in patient bedrooms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient survey exploring use and perceptions of need and risk of clinical handwash basins in patient bedrooms within inpatient medical wards of Balfour Hospital, Orkney.
IRAS ID
345314
Contact name
Rebecca Wilson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Orkney
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 21 days
Research summary
This is a survey study on patient views of handwash sinks in hospitals.
The current UK guidance is for every single patient room in hospitals to be equipped with a handwash basin. The intention was to make it easy for hand hygiene to be performed at the bedside of every patient.
In recent years, we have developed greater understanding of infection risks from hospital sinks. Hospital sink drains contain bacteria which grow in pipework and can even grow across into an adjacent sink drain, up the pipework to the drainage outlet (plug hole). Every sink has a ‘splash zone’. The splash zone involves dispersal of organisms/bacteria from the hands, the sink and the sink drain to >2 metres from the sink. This contaminates the surrounding area, patient care equipment or sometimes the patient directly. All of these lead to infection risk. Locally, we have had highly antibiotic-resistant thought to be transmitted via the sink.
We have planned removal of handwash basins from some patient rooms in our adult general medical wards to make the care environment safer. Each room has an ensuite with toilet, shower and basin which will be retained. Alcohol-based handrub is a effective for most hand hygiene, and where soap and water is required there are other sinks nearby that can be used. The nearest handwash basin may be in the patient bathroom or elsewhere on the ward.
We aim to gather patient views on sinks in the patient room and what impact removal of it will have on them. We will survey patients occupying rooms with a handwash basin and after those occupying a room after removal. This study will inform other hospitals of challenges for patients and keeps patients at the centre of safety initiatives.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0258
Date of REC Opinion
16 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion