One million units sold, zero bacterial failures

Legionella and Pseudomonas are well known infection-causing bacteria found in hospital water. When high counts of these pathogenic microorganisms are found at the shower and/or tap outlets, point-of-use (POU) filters are often applied to physically remove the bacteria and control the risk of infection. Here Mark Taylor, marketing manager at Fileder, which supplies filtration products, reverse osmosis and UV systems, water filter housings, and water treatment technology, compares the two main filter media technologies commonly used – traditional flat sheet membrane and the ‘modern’, hollow fibre membrane media, ‘to uncover why the use of hollow fibre membrane technology is growing rapidly’, and considers ‘the root problem’ of biofilm growth in water distribution systems. 

Hospital-acquired infections are a growing concern to hospitals, and several studies have shown that up to 42%* of hospital-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections can be directly derived from the water distribution system.1 Legionella is the most known infection-causing contaminant, with Pseudomonas among the other various infection-causing bacteria and fungi found in water. Exposure mainly occurs while showering or handwashing with contaminated water, with patients who are immunocompromised (through drug therapy or medical condition) particularly at risk.

Biofilm growth cycle