Bacterial contamination associated with electronic faucets: a new risk for healthcare facilities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of the hospital water supply following a major flood.
DESIGN: Surveillance was conducted of the hospital water supply as it entered the hospital and at randomly selected water faucets throughout the facility.
SETTING: A newly constructed surgical critical-care unit in a 265-bed community hospital that had to be evacuated and was out of operation for 6 weeks following a major flood of the city.
METHODS: Random water samples throughout the facility were analyzed for heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs), chlorine, and coliforms utilizing standard methods.
RESULTS: Water samples entering the hospital met appropriate standards, indicating the city water distribution system was not contaminated. Of 169 faucets tested, 13 (22%) of 59 electronic faucets exceeded the HPC threshold, and 12 (11%) of 110 manual faucets exceeded the HPC threshold (P<.14). A comparison of two brands of electronic faucets with manual faucets and with each other revealed that the HPC threshold was exceeded by 11 (32%) of 34 brand A faucets as compared to 12 (11%) of 110 manual faucets (P<.006). The HPC threshold was exceeded by 2 (8%) of 25 brand B faucets compared to 12 (11%) of 110 manual faucets (P<.94). Contamination rates of brand A and brand B faucets differed significantly (P<.003). Similar testing 2 months after hyperchlorination of the water supply indicated that the HPC threshold was exceeded by 16 (52%) of 31 brand A faucets compared to 10 (9.%) of 110 manual faucets (P<.0000003) and by 2 (18%) of 25 brand B faucets compared to 10 (9%) of 110 manual faucets (P=1.0).
CONCLUSIONS: A certain brand of electronic water faucet used in the hospital was associated with unacceptable levels of microbial growth in water and was a continuing source of bacteria potentially hazardous to patients.