Sink safety: What are splash zones?

A key component of medical environments is a sink. In healthcare facilities, they are present in exam rooms and laboratories and are necessary for hand hygiene compliance. Despite being a key measure for reducing infections, they can be breeding grounds for dangerous microorganisms. According to the CDC, “water can carry germs that threaten patient safety and spread antimicrobial-resistant pathogens or cause healthcare-associated infections (HAI).” Facilities need to evaluate splash zones and current practices for sink safety and consider implementing new strategies to minimize risk to patients and staff.

Splash zones

It's no secret that proper hand hygiene is an easy and effective way to minimize the spread of germs. To facilitate handwashing and minimize recontamination, many exam and treatment rooms have sinks, and every sink has a splash zone. Splash zones are the areas around a sink or drain into which water may be dispersed during hand washing, drying, cleaning, or other activities. According to Heather Ridge, BSN, BS, RN, CIC, and member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Communications Committee, the “splash generated from sinks varies by width, depth, and distance from the water source. Some studies have suggested that the splash zone can surpass three feet in some instances.” 

There have been multiple studies that show sinks, drains, and the surrounding plumbing can act as reservoirs for pathogens. In some cases, pathogen-harboring biofilm, a community of harmful microorganisms that is enclosed in a protective slime and is resistant to disinfectants, can be found in and around sinks and drains. If contaminated water or droplets travel, anything in the splash zone is at risk for contamination and dissemination.

Many exam and treatment rooms, as well as laboratory benches, have a counterspace attached to the sink area. When medication, procedural items, equipment, or supplies are placed in the splash zone, they are at risk of contamination and can lead to HAIs.

Editor’s note: This article was excerpted from our Medical Environment Update newsletter.