Thermostatic mixing valves (TMV’s) are an integral part of many taps and showers currently being used in healthcare settings to regulate temperature and prevent scalding incidents.
In a recent article published in (1) The Journal of Hospital Infection the risk of increased of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa contamination of TMV’s was highlighted particularly with regard to augmented care applications. This is supported by recommendations in (2) (3) Health Technical Memorandum HTM04-01, (4) Health Building Note HBN 00-01 and the recently published (5) British Standard 8580-2 all of which recommend a scalding risk assessment and if necessary the removal of TMV’s where not required.
With this heightened risk level in these augmented care areas where patients are particularly vulnerable our electronically controlled anti scald showers and taps are the ideal alternative solution to TMV’s providing anti scald protection whilst at the same time significantly reducing the incidence of Pseudomonas. For more details:
Click Here for Non TMV Anti Scald protection Taps
Click Here for Non TMV Anti Scald protection Showers
References:
(1) M.Meda V.Gentry Letter to the Editor / Journal of Hospital Infection 129 (2022) 113e114
(2) Department of Health. Health Technical Memorandum 0401: Supplement. Performance specification D08: thermostatic mixing valves (healthcare premises). London: DoH; 2017. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ Health_tech_memo_0401_supp_D08.pdf [last accessed August 2022].
(3) Department of Health. Health Technical Memorandum 0401. Part C: Pseudomonas aeruginosa e advice for augmented care units. London: DoH; 2016. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DH_HTM_0401_PART_C_acc.pdf [last accessed August 2022].
(4) Department of Health. Health Building Note 00-10. Part C: sani- tary assemblies. London: DoH; 2013. Available at: https://www. england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/HBN_00-10_Part_ C_Final.pdf [last accessed August 2022].
(5) British Standards Institution. British Standard 8580-2:2022. Water quality e risk assessments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne pathogens. London: BSI; 2022.