Healthcare Water Treatment

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Healthcare Water Treatment

 Water treatment for healthcare facilities requires both expertise and outstanding service capability. Chemstar WATER has been the trusted partner for numerous medical centers, critical care facilities, senior care facilities, and nursing homes for over two decades. We understand the need for these facilities to provide the highest level of safety and care for their clientele, which is why we take the utmost care when providing water treatment for our customers. At Chemstar WATER, our job is to give the facilities our continuous consideration and attention while helping them maintain their potable water and heating and cooling systems. We also partner with healthcare customers to educate them about Legionnaires’ Disease and to develop Legionella Control Programs, Water Management Programs, Risk Assessments, and continuous testing to mitigate risks and prevent outbreaks.

Why are Healthcare facilities more susceptible to Legionnaires Disease?

Outbreaks are common in large and complex cooling and potable systems, like hospitals and healthcare facilities. People most at risk are those with weakened immune systems, current or former smokers, those with lung conditions, and are over 65. The ensuing complications lead to respiratory failure, septic shock, and acute kidney failure. Given that hospitals and other healthcare facilities have patients that fall into overlapping high-risk categories, there is a much higher risk of spreading Legionnaires Disease and causing a Legionella outbreak.

What are the Sources of Legionnaires Disease in Healthcare Facilities?

In healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, there are several potential sources of Legionella bacteria, which can cause outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease. Some common sources in these facilities include:

1. Cooling towers Are large air conditioning units that use water to cool the air inside a building. If the water in a cooling tower is not properly maintained and disinfected, it can become contaminated with Legionella bacteria, which can then be released into the air when it operates.
2. Showers: If the water in a shower is not hot enough or if the showerhead is not properly cleaned and disinfected, it can become a source of Legionella bacteria.
3. Faucets: If the water in a faucet is not hot enough or properly cleaned and disinfected, it can also become a source of Legionella bacteria.
4. Hot tubs and spas: If the water in a hot tub or spa is not properly maintained and disinfected, it can become contaminated with Legionella bacteria, which can then be transmitted to people who use the tub or spa.
5. Decorative fountains: If the water in a decorative fountain is not properly maintained and disinfected, it can also become a source of Legionella bacteria.

To prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in healthcare facilities, it is important to regularly maintain and disinfect the facility’s water systems and equipment and to educate staff and patients about the disease and how to prevent infection.

ASHRAE 188 Standard

While Legionnaires Disease outbreaks are more common in healthcare facilities due to high-risk occupants, Legionella is just as likely to be found in office buildings, apartment buildings, and industrial cooling systems. It is also found in any potable water system, especially when some faucets and showers are not regularly used. The ASHRAE 188 standard has outlined the buildings and systems most at risk of harboring Legionella. As Chemstar WATER, our goal is to guide our customers toward best practices that will minimize the threat of Legionella in their systems. We strive to help our customers combat Legionnaires Disease and help them identify risks associated with it.

• The ASHRAE 188 standard is a guideline for preventing outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in building water systems.
• It applies to all types of buildings, including hospitals, nursing homes, other healthcare facilities, hotels, schools, and office buildings.
• The standard recommends several measures to prevent the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria, including:
  • Regularly inspecting and maintaining water systems and equipment
  • Implementing a water management and safety program
  • Disinfecting and flushing water systems regularly
  • Monitoring the temperature and pH of the water
  • Training staff on the importance of preventing the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria
• The standard also recommends that a qualified water management professional be responsible for implementing and overseeing the water management program.
• Adherence to the ASHRAE 188 standard is not required by law, but it is considered a best practice for preventing outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in building water systems.

Benefits of a healthcare water treatment solution

Routine maintenance is needed for any industrial water treatment system; however, it’s exceptionally critical for healthcare facilities. See how often our experts recommend that you check your plumbing to ensure clean, safe, and efficient water delivery in our healthcare news update.

Healthcare Water Management Program (WMP)

Did you know? Chemstar WATER partners with world-renowned experts and provides WMPs for you, our healthcare customers. Updated guidance from the Joint Commission, in line with CDC, ANSI/ASHRAE STANDARD 188-2018, LEGIONELLOSIS: RISK MANAGEMENT FOR BUILDING WATER SYSTEMS, requires that in 2022 most hospitals, critical care, senior care, and health services implement Legionnaires Disease water management programs. The revised standards itemize what companies can do to protect the quality of water and, therefore, the quality of life they serve.

Why do Healthcare Facilities Need a Robust Water Management Program?

Facilities need a robust water management program to prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease because Legionella bacteria can grow and thrive in warm water environments, such as those found in many facilities. The bacteria can be found in showers, faucets, cooling towers, and other water systems and equipment. They can be transmitted to people by inhaling small droplets of water containing the bacteria.

A robust water management program helps to identify and address potential sources of Legionella bacteria in the facility’s water systems and can include measures such as regularly inspecting and maintaining water systems and equipment, implementing a water treatment program, and training staff on the importance of preventing the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria.

Having a robust water management program in place can help facilities to identify and address potential sources of Legionella bacteria before they become a problem and can reduce the risk of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in the facility.

At Chemstar WATER, we offer formalized guidance in helping our healthcare customers create the Water Management Program (WMP) and an additional in-depth Water Management Risk Analysis (WMRA). We work with customers to establish their first set of plans and existing customers to update their current documents. We partner with national infection disease and pathogen control consultants and experts to provide our healthcare customers with the most up-to-date information. By teaming up with external experts, you get the added credibility of world-renowned specialists alongside Chemstar WATER’s industry expertise.