Reducing the Risk of Healthcare Associated Infections from Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens Using a Water Management for Construction (WMC) Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) Tool

Infectious Disease Reports

Angela A. Tonozzi¹  Stephanie C. Griffin²  James L. Gordon³  Molly M. Scanlon⁴ 

[1] Angela A. Tonozzi, Physician Consultant, Milwaukee, WI 53217, USA;Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;Gordon Architectural Design, Coronado, CA 92118, USA;Standards and Research, Phigenics, LLC, 3S701 West Avenue, Suite 100, Warrenville, IL 60555, USA;

关键词: construction;    healthcare associated infections;    infection control;    Legionella;    risk assessment;    waterborne pathogen;   

DOI  :  10.3390/idr14030039

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Construction activities in healthcare settings potentially expose building occupants to waterborne pathogens including Legionella and have been associated with morbidity and mortality. A Water Management for Construction—Infection Control Risk Assessment (WMC-ICRA) tool was developed addressing gaps in building water management programs. This enables healthcare organizations to meet the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188 referenced in numerous guidelines and regulations. A WMC-ICRA was modeled after the ICRA required for prevention and control of airborne pathogens to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections. The tool allows users to evaluate risk from waterborne pathogen exposure by analyzing construction activities by project category and building occupant risk group. The users then select an appropriate level of risk mitigation measures. Technical aspects (e.g., water age/stagnation, flushing, filtration, disinfection, validation testing), are presented to assist with implementation. An exemplar WMC-ICRA tool is presented as ready for implementation by infection prevention and allied professionals, addressing current gaps in water management, morbidity/mortality risk, and regulatory compliance. To reduce exposure to waterborne pathogens in healthcare settings and improve regulatory compliance, organizations should examine the WMC-ICRA tool, customize it for organization-specific needs, while formulating an organizational policy to implement during all construction activities.

【 授权许可】

Unknown