Biofilm removal in hospital sink drains drives unintended surges in antibiotic resistance

Key Points

• Unintended surges in antibiotic resistance occur following biofilm removal, complicating sanitation efforts.
• Antibiotic resistance levels increased by 30% post-intervention in hospital sink drains.
• Assessment using microbial ecology methods highlights the relationship between biofilm disruption and pathogen transmission.
• Findings highlight a need for careful consideration of sanitation practices in healthcare to manage resistance.