ObjectiveTo investigate the use and hygiene of water quality processors in medical institutions of a district in Shanghai.

MethodsTwenty comprehensive medical institutions and 17 other medical institutions (including outpatient departments) using water quality processors in a district of Shanghai were selected to investigate the hygienic conditions of the water quality processors.The investigation covered the water treatment process, daily use, setting environment, daily maintenance and so on.The water quality was detected by random sampling method.The detection indexes included total coliform bacteria, total bacteria, turbidity, oxygen consumption, lead and arsenic.

ResultsThe main problems in the use of water quality processors in medical institutions were the lack of regular inspection and publicity of water quality, the absence of video monitoring around the equipment and the presence of pollution sources within 10 meters around the equipment.The qualified rate was 38.7%, 52.9% and 74.7% respectively.According to the statistics of the sampling inspection data of the effluent from the water quality processor, the total qualified rate of the oxygen consumption index was 78.9%.There was significant difference in the oxygen consumption qualification rate between reverse osmosis process and ultrafiltration process in medical institutions(P < 0.05).The qualification rate of reverse osmosis process was lower than that of ultrafiltration process.The turbidity and oxygen consumption of raw water decreased after treatment.There was significant difference in turbidity and oxygen consumption between effluent and raw water of water quality processor(P < 0.01).

ConclusionThere are hygienic problems found in water quality processors used by medical institutions in a district of Shanghai.It is suggested to strengthen the management of drinking water treatment equipment in medical institutions.