Bathing Area Conditions that Affect Infection Control
October 05, 2011 | Tags: Infection Control, Air Spa | Permalink
The bathing room itself impacts the infection control issues with air spa bathing systems. These conditions affect the very air quality and can debunk some air spa manufacturer’s claims that their air spas circulate “clean, dry air” through their air lines.
Very often, bathing areas also include a toilet and shower area. Studies have proven that the flushing of a toilet forces millions of harmful bacteria, including e-coli and strep into the air where they can be inhaled by residents and staff. Similarly, shower stalls generate considerable steam and splashing action, causing an “aerosol effect” that also contributes to millions of bacteria becoming airborne. Finally, the bathing systems themselves cause an aerosol effect whereby bacteria that are released into the water during a bath – having come off the resident’s body or off of improperly cleaned equipment – become airborne and inhaled by both the resident...