3302-B - Effective Water Management Program Implementation for Infection Prevention

Session Description: All healthcare facilities are required to have a Water Management Program that addresses Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. The Joint Commission Environment of Care Standard for water management (EC.02.05.02) was recently revised to contain more robust requirements of the Water Management Team, specifically pertaining to risk assessment and hazard controls. Additionally, in the last three years the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the Cooling Tower Institute (CTI) have all published new revisions of their standards and guidance on water management for control of Legionella in health care facilities.

Waterborne bacteria include a number of known pathogens typical among hospital acquired infections (i.e. Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) that can be transmitted via inhalation, contact or ingestion (aspiration). These pathogens have a wide range of virulence, with the prevalence of less-common organisms such as Burkholderia cepacia and Achromobacter xylosoxidans increasing during pandemic operations. Infection Prevention Professionals provide a critical perspective for effective Water Management Program development and implementation. Protecting vulnerable patient populations requires an understanding not just of the science of infectious disease, but also a solid comprehension of the current guidance and processes utilized by industrial hygienists to evaluate, manage, and control environmental hazards.

This 30-minute presentation for Infection Prevention Professionals at all career stages will provide a high-level overview of the current regulations, standards and guidance related to water management programs in healthcare operations, the specific roles and responsibilities of each member of the Water Management Team, the type of events and operations that require Infection Prevention engagement and field-tested risk assessment and hazard control tools to guide Water Management Team operations and planning.