Designer, developer, and manufacturer of thermostatic mixing and temperature control valves, Horne Engineering, says that waterborne bacteria are ‘ubiquitous’, and argues that it is thus ‘arguably impossible’ to completely eradicate them from hospital water supplies.
Horne said: “Given the difficulty of eradication, proper management of the water supply is key to minimising the risk of proliferation, transmission, and infection, and Horne’s Optitherm thermostatic tap not only facilitates best practice water system management, but also incorporates a host of other features designed to reduce infection risk. Its hygienic lever operation, ease of cleaning and maintenance (it does not require wall panel removal to access service ducting), and optimal temperature and flow characteristics, all contribute to reducing the spread of harmful bacteria.”
The Optitherm tap’s ‘unique design’ reportedly also facilitates best practice Legionella (and other waterborne pathogen) control (HTM 04-01 refers), as:
• There is no mixed water ‘deadleg’.
• It delivers both thermostatically controlled warm water and dedicated cold water; increased cold water turnover decreases water stagnation.
• Every operation, for either mixed or cold water delivery, results in a complete exchange of water.
• It enables regular, elevated velocity system flushing, which helps reduce biofilm formation and maintain water quality
Horne adds: “Further measures to reduce the risk of Legionella and Pseudomonas infection include thermal disinfection of terminal fittings, as recommended in L8 ACOP, Control of Legionella in Water Systems. The recently developed Optitherm Thermal Disinfection Adaptor allows the tap’s internal surfaces and thermostatic mechanism to be completely disinfected thermally by temporarily re-routing the 60°C water from the hot water supply via the internal valve's cold port through to the outlet.” A narrated animation fully illustrates this and the water system flushing process.
Further information on the Optitherm tap is available on the Horne Engineering website here .To request a full demonstration of the Optitherm and/or the Thermal Disinfection Adaptor email the company via its contact form.
