Healthcare Water Treatment
Water treatment for healthcare facilities demands exceptional expertise and reliable service capabilities. For decades, Chemstar WATER has been the trusted provider of specialized water treatment solutions to medical centers, critical care facilities, senior care centers, and nursing homes. We recognize the essential need these facilities have to ensure the highest standards of safety and patient care, which is why we deliver meticulous, personalized service to each customer.
Our commitment involves providing continuous attention to maintaining the quality of potable water, heating, and cooling systems. Additionally, we collaborate closely with healthcare providers to educate them on Legionnaires’ Disease and assist in developing comprehensive Legionella Control Programs, customized Water Management Programs, thorough Risk Assessments, and ongoing testing protocols to proactively mitigate risks and prevent outbreaks.
Read how Chemstar WATER helped safely combat Legionnaires’ Disease at a major medical center in Virginia. View our Healthcare Water Treatment case study.
Why Are Healthcare Facilities More Susceptible to Legionnaires’ Disease?
Healthcare facilities, including hospitals, senior care facilities, nursing homes, and critical care centers, are particularly vulnerable to Legionnaires’ Disease outbreaks due to their large, complex cooling and potable water systems. Patients within these facilities typically include individuals with compromised immune systems, those with existing lung conditions, current or former smokers, and adults over age 65—groups significantly more susceptible to contracting Legionnaires’ Disease. Complications from Legionella infection can escalate to severe outcomes like respiratory failure, septic shock, or acute kidney failure, making vigilant prevention especially critical in healthcare settings.
Common Sources of Legionnaires’ Disease in Healthcare Facilities
In hospitals and healthcare environments, Legionella bacteria can grow and spread through various water sources, particularly when systems are improperly maintained or disinfected. Typical Legionella sources include:
• Cooling Towers: Large-scale cooling units that utilize water for climate control. If water treatment and regular disinfection protocols aren’t strictly followed, Legionella can multiply and be aerosolized, posing significant risks.
• Showers and Faucets: Showerheads and faucets with inadequate water temperatures or inconsistent cleaning schedules can harbor Legionella bacteria, increasing patient exposure risk.
• Hot Tubs and Spas: Poorly maintained spas or hot tubs can rapidly become contaminated, presenting significant hazards, especially in healthcare settings with immunocompromised individuals.
• Decorative Fountains: Water features, such as decorative fountains, require regular cleaning and appropriate chemical treatments; otherwise, they can become unexpected sources of Legionella contamination.
Effective Legionella Prevention Strategies for Healthcare Facilities
To mitigate the risks of Legionnaires’ Disease, healthcare facilities must adopt proactive measures, including:
• Implementing comprehensive Legionella Water Management Programs tailored to the unique needs of each facility.
• Conducting regular Legionella testing and risk assessments to ensure early detection and prompt response to potential bacterial contamination.
• Implement a Secondary Disinfection system, like a Monochloramine Generator for the incoming cold water, or the just the hot water loop.
• Educating facility staff, maintenance teams, and healthcare providers about Legionnaires’ Disease and best practices for prevention and control.
By adhering to these best practices and maintaining strict oversight of water management systems, healthcare facilities can substantially reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ Disease outbreaks and protect patient health and safety.
ASHRAE 188 Standard: Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease in Building Water Systems
Healthcare Water Treatment
While Legionnaires’ Disease outbreaks are particularly prevalent in healthcare facilities due to their vulnerable occupants, Legionella bacteria can thrive in a variety of settings, including office buildings, apartment complexes, industrial cooling systems, hotels, and schools. Additionally, potable water systems with faucets and showers that see infrequent use are also susceptible. The ASHRAE 188 standard provides clear guidance on identifying buildings and water systems at elevated risk for Legionella contamination.
At Chemstar WATER, our mission is to guide our customers toward best practices that significantly minimize Legionella-related risks. We assist clients in proactively combating Legionnaires’ Disease through effective risk identification, prevention measures, and tailored water management strategies.
Key Recommendations of the ASHRAE 188 Standard:
The ASHRAE 188 standard outlines comprehensive best practices to prevent Legionella growth and potential outbreaks. These recommendations include:
• Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Conduct routine assessments and preventive maintenance of all building water systems and equipment.
• Implementing Water Management Programs: Establish a dedicated Legionella Water Management Programspecifically designed for your facility’s water systems, managed by qualified professionals.
• Disinfection and Flushing Protocols: Regularly disinfect and flush water systems to eliminate stagnant water and reduce bacterial growth.
• Monitoring Water Quality: Track critical parameters such as water temperature and pH to maintain optimal conditions that prevent Legionella proliferation.
• Staff Education and Training: Provide comprehensive training for facility staff regarding the risks of Legionella bacteria and the importance of following proper water management practices.
ASHRAE 188 recommends appointing a qualified water management professional to oversee and maintain your facility’s water safety program, ensuring compliance with best practices and ongoing risk mitigation.
While adherence to the ASHRAE 188 standard is not legally mandatory, it is widely recognized as an essential best practice for safeguarding public health and preventing outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease in building water systems.
Water Management Program (WMP)
Water Management and Safety Plan
Did you know Chemstar WATER collaborates with world-renowned experts to develop customized Water Management Programs (WMPs) for healthcare facilities? Updated guidance from the Joint Commission, consistent with recommendations from the CDC and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, now mandates that hospitals, critical care facilities, senior care centers, and other healthcare institutions implement comprehensive Legionnaires’ Disease prevention programs. These revised standards emphasize proactive steps facilities must take to protect water quality, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of the populations they serve.
Why Do Healthcare Facilities Need a Robust Water Management Program?
Legionella bacteria thrive in warm water environments commonly found within healthcare facility water systems. Sources of potential contamination include showers, faucets, cooling towers, decorative fountains, and other water-related equipment. Legionnaires’ Disease can occur when individuals inhale water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria, making proactive management essential to patient safety.
An effective Water Management Program helps facilities:
• Identify and Mitigate Risks: Proactively discover and address potential Legionella sources within water systems before issues arise.
• Implement Routine Maintenance and Treatment: Conduct regular inspections, perform essential maintenance, and establish targeted water treatment protocols.
• Educate and Train Staff: Equip personnel with knowledge on preventing Legionella growth and managing associated risks through ongoing training programs.
Chemstar WATER’s Approach to Water Management Programs (WMP)
At Chemstar WATER, we offer comprehensive assistance to healthcare providers in establishing and maintaining their customized Water Management Programs. We also conduct detailed Water Management Risk Analyses (WMRA) to thoroughly evaluate potential risks within your facility. Whether you are developing your initial water management plan or updating existing documentation, Chemstar WATER ensures compliance with the latest standards and best practices.
Our collaboration extends to partnerships with nationally recognized infectious disease and pathogen control experts, providing our healthcare customers unparalleled credibility, depth of knowledge, and the latest industry insights. Combining external expertise with Chemstar WATER’s decades of industry experience ensures your facility receives exceptional, reliable guidance.
To learn more about our complete range of healthcare water treatment solutions, please visit our Solutions page.
