Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) remain a major, global patient safety problem leading to increased patient morbidity and mortality and a substantial economic burden for healthcare. Environmental contamination is responsible for 25% of HAIs, with sinks and related wastewater systems identified as reservoirs of plumbing-associated pathogens, such as Cupriavidus species and Stenotrophomonas species, and the cause of treatment recalcitrant infection outbreaks in hospitals.
Practices such as discarding nutrients down sinks promote microbial growth and biofilm formation, which are particularly difficult to eradicate from hospital water systems, potentially leading to environmental contamination through aerosol formation and droplet dispersal. In addition, behaviours such as incorrect use of elbow-operated taps are common and could lead to recontamination of the hands following handwashing. Added to which, the environment itself can create barriers for correct behaviours to occur.
Therefore, this project aims to investigate the practices and behaviours around the use of sinks, the number, the location, the set up, and microbial contamination of sinks in healthcare settings to inform future interventions for reducing the risk of microbial transmission in healthcare settings.
This project is part of the research activity of the Safeguarding Health through Infection Prevention (SHIP) research group: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/research/researchgroups/safeguardinghealththroughinfectionprevention/ SHIP has four workstreams and the three supervisors are researchers in three of these workstreams. Working with partners in the NHS and colleagues in microbiology would provide an opportunity to have a real impact in practice.
The successful candidate will hold the minimum of a first degree (2:1 or above) in a subject related to health sciences and preferably a Master’s degree with merit. Enthusiasm for the topic and a willingness to learn are essential and experience of microbiological and health research are desirable.
Candidates are requested to submit an outline proposal related to the project as part of the application.
How to Apply
This project is available as a 3 years full-time PhD study programme with expected start date of 1 October 2023.
Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisors for the project before applying.
Please note that emails to the supervisory team or enquires submitted via this project advert do not constitute formal applications; applicants should apply using the Application Process page, choosing Nursing and October 2023 Start.
Applicants shortlisted for the PhD project will be contacted for an interview within six weeks from the closing date.
Continue with Facebook
