How to Prevent Legionella and other Waterborne Bacterial Outbreaks in your Healthcare Facility
Hospital water distribution systems can experience contamination that is not accounted for by the water treatment system provided by the city, so extra precautions must be taken in the healthcare industry to prevent an outbreak of waterborne bacteria and pathogens. These dangerous bacterial microorganisms include Legionella, Mycobacteria, Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella. They pose a severe threat to […]
CDC Legionella Report Calls for Action
LiquiTech applauds CDC for its stand on water management plans and Legionella testing. Noting a 370% increase in Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks since 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called on building owners and property managers to monitor better and control the risks associated with their drinking and service water systems. “As […]
Legionnaires in Long-Term Care Facilities
In the summer of 2013, the Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, experienced the largest and deadliest Legionnaires disease outbreak in state history. The assisted- and independent-living facility saw six people die and another 33 become seriously ill. The victims ranged in age from 63 to 99 and included residents, visitors, and one employee. […]
Cryptosporidium Explained and How To Keep It Out of Your Facility
What is Cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium, also known as “Crypto,” is a bacteria found in water systems that are the cause of cryptosporidiosis as well as several other ailments. It is resistant to chlorine, so that it can survive for days, even in properly chlorinated pools. It is most commonly ingested by swallowing contaminated water while swimming, […]
Matagorda Regional Medical Center: a Clean Water Pioneer in Healthcare
Public water systems traveling into large facilities are living biological ecosystems that harbor and distribute potentially harmful, naturally occurring bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Mycobacterium, and Legionella. Nationally, our drinking water infrastructure is in need of a $1 trillion overhaul, a daunting problem for stakeholders that lack the will to address it. Due to this, there’s […]
Mycobacteria Explained
What is Mycobacteria? Mycobacteria is a bacteria found in water systems that cause Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) disease and ailments. It proliferates rapidly in warm water environments and poses a threat when exposed to humans. This pathogen can enter the body in many ways, by ingesting contaminated water, breathing in the bacteria, or allowing it to […]
Pseudomonas in Drinking Water
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly adaptable, aerobic, and motile bacterium that belongs to the family Pseudomonadaceae. It is a gram-negative, rod-shaped organism that is surrounded by a protective slime layer known as biofilm, which helps it to survive in a wide range of environments. It is often found in soil, water, plumbing systems, and other […]
Common Types of Waterborne Pathogens
Water from municipal water systems is often contaminated with small amounts of bacteria, parasites, fungi, and other organisms that escaped disinfection methods. The low amounts of these organisms generally do not cause disease but can pose a threat in complex or multi-story plumbing systems due to various factors. Common causes of waterborne pathogens Waterborne pathogens […]
What are Legionella Bacteria and Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionella is a bacteria found in potable and nonpotable water systems that is the cause of Legionnaires’ disease and proliferates rapidly in warm water environments. Although the number of cases reported yearly in the United States is comparatively low, this is a serious and potentially fatal illness. It is especially dangerous because of how it […]
What is Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia?
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a bacteria found in moist environments and plumbing systems and is the cause of a wide range of illnesses such as bacteremia, pulmonary infections, urinary tract infections, meningitis, and as several others. In most cases, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia transmission occurs when patients come into contact with hospital equipment that has not been adequately sterilized. This […]
