AusHFG Hand Basin Types and Uses
Depending on their use, hand basins may be defined as:
- clinical - large ‘scrub’ (Type A);
- clinical - medium (Type B);
- non-clinical - small or medium (including vanities) (Type C); and
- surgical scrub troughs.
Hand basins are required in all patient care areas and in all areas where careful attention to hygiene is essential such as kitchens, laundries, pharmacies, laboratories and amenities for patients, visitors or staff. Reticulated, free-flowing warm and cold water will be provided. Plugs should not be provided other than to hand basins in patient ensuites (e.g. vanity basins).
Splashbacks will be required behind all basins. The splashback should be large enough to contain splashes and prevent moisture seepage. The surface should be water resistant and easy to clean.
Hand Basin Design
Design should ensure that hand basins:
- have no overflow;
- have curved sides, to minimise splashing;
- are large enough to enable good hand hygiene techniques;
- are either sealed to the wall or far enough away from the wall to allow effective cleaning;
- have a waterproof splashback; • have suitable taps; • do not include integrated plugs; and
- have water delivered at a suitable temperature to allow hand washing under running water.
Hand basins should be made of a hard, non-scratch material (usually porcelain) and be easy to clean. Polycarbonate or other moulded plastic materials are not suitable.
Drainage design should be easy to access internally and externally for regular cleaning of ‘S’ bends to remove biofilm build-up.
Type A - Clinical Basin - Large (Scrub Basin)
The Type A clinical scrub basin is required in selected areas requiring clinical hand washing prior to undertaking selected procedures that may occur in non-operating room settings (e.g. delivery room). The basin is a large wall-mounted type, with hands-free taps that may be wall mounted elbow taps, foot/knee operated or electronic sensor taps, with warm and cold water delivered by a common spout. Tap placement should allow washing up to the elbow.
Type B - Clinical Basin - Medium
This hand basin is used in areas requiring hand hygiene by staff and visitors for patient care situations and aseptic procedures. The basin is a medium wall-mounted type. The taps may be either wall-mounted or basin-mounted with elbow or wrist hands-free operation, and warm/cold free-running water.
Type C - Non-Clinical Basin - Small/Medium
The Type C basin is required in public, patient and staff amenities. Type C is a small wall-mounted basin, which may be part of a vanity unit. The taps may be wall-mounted or basin-mounted. Supply warm and cold water. Cold water-only may be provided to Type C facilities in areas such as public amenities. For ease of cleaning and use taps should be lever operated as commercially available.
