EDUC 8848 Module Two Assignment Two
Collaborative Group Tetrad
Emerging Technologies Tetrad
Hands Free Faucet
While hands-free faucets are emerging technology, it is important to note that research from The John Hopkins Hospital shows they were more likely to be contaminated with one of the most common and hazardous bacteria in hospitals compared to 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 Legionella species,” says senior study investigator and infectious disease specialist Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H. “New devices, even faucets, however well intentioned in their make-up and purpose, have the potential for unintended consequences, which is why constant surveillance is needed,” says Maragakis, director of hospital epidemiology and infection control at Hopkins Hospital and an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.References
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/latest_hands_free_electronic_water_faucets_found_to_be_hindrance_not_help_in_hospital_infection_control
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your post. I am currently responding with my iPhone as my network in house is down, after being out of town for 5 days. I will post a thorough response plus my own post to my blog site in the morning from work.
Kindly,
Diane
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to read about the bacteria growth inside the hands-free systems. We currently use many hands-free systems in our hospital, however not in the patient rooms. I wonder if that was purposeful or the hospital just didn't get to replacing the old style yet... Regardless, Washing our hands doesn't feel the same knowing what we know. Back to the drawing board on this invention!
Diane
Diane, as I used a hands-free today,I thought of this research and bacteria; I think in general that sound hygiene is habitual as bacteria lives everywhere; check out the research on gas pumps handles. There should be sani-wipes at the pumps. Some grocery stores have wipes to use before you select your grocery cart. Your environment breeds early habits to sanitize often; aviation tends to be haphazard unless it is a personal habit to wipe down flight decks and oxygen masks prior to use.....many cooties out there!
ReplyDeleteDavid
David,
ReplyDeleteI agree. The hospital is just about the dirtiest place in town- yet visitors let their small children crawl around the floors! Don't get me wrong, the staff housekeepers clean the floors daily-but all of the germs, illness-on the bottoms of our shoes...I don't even wear my work shoes into the house, I take them off and carry them to the closet just to keep the germs off my floors at home.
Great topic and post, thanks!
Diane
It is remarkable about the multiple germs in a hospital, but as we all know that is why many make office visits. When you see people wearing masks in public places then more than likely they have been a recipient of an organ transplant. I think the hands free faucet is an admirable concept, although still needs tweaking. I was amazed when I read the article from John Hopkins, as well.
DeleteCheryl
Group,
ReplyDeleteAs we all know bacteria and virus are everywhere, and mutations occur that create what has been termed "superbugs" and our current eradication methods have failed to snuff them out. As our technologies advance we can only hope for the sake of our species, that we are able to develop the natural means to fight them off. in the mean time the CDC (2012) still reports that soap and water and hand washing is the best defense.
Also noted, the Hopkins study states that researchers speculate about the source of the bacteria which may be found in the pipes or also may be due to water flow, not as much flow with the hands free faucet therefor the pipes are not flushed as well, as well as other possible factors such as the testing location (Park. 2011).
Maybe this faucet will reverse to a laser coated technology to eradicate harmful bacteria before they leave the faucet spout.
Reference:
CDC.com.(2012). Water-related hygiene. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/ldc/
Park, A., (2011). Hands-Free faucets may spread more germs than manual taps. Time Healthland. Retrieved from http://healthland.time.com/2011/03/31/hands-free-faucets-spread-more-germs-than-manual-taps/
David,
ReplyDeleteI found this article and then went to the Study and read it because I had a hard time believing that the hands free unit is worse than the traditional faucet. I do like how you mentioned that eliminates the need to adjust the hot and cold water. Honestly, I feel this is a real draw back. I have never used a hands free faucet that had warm water. However, Americans are going to more automatic things. The less we have to do the better. This faucet doesn't relieve a lot that we have to do, but there are less steps to washing your hands!!
Candice,
I like the laser idea. Can you imagine going to the restroom and then just running your hands under a laser beam and bam clean hands. Interesting!!
Noted that when in public facilities, there is no choice of utilities; will you choose these technologies for your home? As a do-it-yourself type to save time and money, I would have difficulty and meager knowledge to repair this technology (which is planned by the manufacturer). Public versus private choice seems to be the rub!
ReplyDeleteDavid