Paul Colebrook
Public Sector Consultant, Borg & Overström
Mitigating the fight against infection in hospitals, water dispenser technology is ensuring care standards and ensuring hygienic, safe drinking water for patients and hospital staff.
World Water Day, March 22nd, prompts us to consider the critical role water plays in the healthcare environment. Clean, safe drinking water is a staple care requirement, but many NHS trusts have removed water dispensers due to infection risk.
Importance of water for health
Water is fundamental to life and essential to recovery and wellbeing. From a simple glass of water aiding that regular pill intake to providing that all-important first sip of water post-surgery, safe and clean water plays a crucial role in patient recovery and staff wellbeing.
Drinking water infection risk
In the last few years, hospital trusts have been removing water coolers due to increased infection risk. Legionella, viruses and waterborne pathogens can be present in the water, posing a significant risk of waterborne illness and infections, especially when consumed by those with immune deficiencies.
With touch transmission of germs on drinking water systems in high footfall areas providing additional infection control risks, it is unsurprising that NHS trusts are looking for alternative water provision measures.
Infection control is addressed at every instance.
New water cooler technology to improve patient outcomes
Recently adopted by King’s College Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital in London is Borg & Overström’s E6 Chilled-only water dispenser. Paul Colebrook, Public Sector Consultant at Borg & Overström, explains how this breakthrough cooler, which has been designed for use in NHS hospitals, mitigates infection control risk.
“A shortened, single water pathway minimises wetted area and the risk of dead legs where bacteria can harbour. Viovandt® UV-C purification and 3M Carbonless filtration further mitigate risk of legionella and waterborne pathogens — which make it not only appropriate but ideal for the hospital environment,” explains Colebrook. Unique, patented SensorBeam® touch-free dispense with projection mapping technology, eliminates the touch transfer of germs, ensuring infection control is addressed at every instance.
NHS water quality standards
Designed to meet the rigorous NHS water quality standards, recent testing by independent water hygiene professionals Envirocloud showed no legionella detected in poured drinking water, despite being present in around 50% of the incoming water supply samples.
UK manufacturer Borg & Overström’s hygienic, sustainable water solutions are developed to reduce carbon and plastic footprint while the latest energy-saving technology can save up to 70% on energy running costs. Safe and sustainable water is a much-needed resource within care environments, providing essential drinking water for staff, visitors and patients.
