Sink contamination during handwashing has been linked to healthcare-associated infections and has implications for laboratory-associated infection. When handwashing protocols are designed for high infection risk workplaces, the extent to which performing the handwashing protocol would create contamination around the sink area is not considered.
This study aimed to identify whether the distribution of the splash around the sink area, after a common handwashing method, differed when compared with that seen when the handwashing method was modified.
Trials were conducted using a semi-quantitative approach. The sink area was split into areas and a presence or absence of contamination system used to indicate sink area contamination. Volunteers, after covering their hands with a fluorescent marker, washed them using either an NHS handwashing method or a modified version. After washing, the sink area was visualised under ultraviolet light and areas of contamination recorded. The modified handwashing method showed a statistically significant reduction in sink area contamination.
The method has been incorporated into the revised World Health Organization’s Laboratory Biosafety Manual and a video has been produced which could be used as a training tool to highlight visually the benefits of handwashing as well as how to reduce sink area contamination.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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