In January 2021, the CDC made a significant change and issued new guidance for routine Legionella testing. The details of these changes and their input on Legionella water management will be discussed.
The October 22 episode of the Scaling Up! H20 Podcast features Dr. Janet E. Stout, president and director of Special Pathogens Laboratory. In this episode, Dr. Stout shares her latest thoughts on a wide range of subjects with podcast host and president of Blackmore Enterprises, Trace Blackmore, CWT, LEED AP.
What is Burkholderia and why should you care? Transmission of Burkholderia cepacia has been reported from contaminated medicines and medical devices as well as person-to-person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces. Environmental monitoring for contamination of showers and sinks has been suggested. What’s more CMS expects Medicare and Medicare/Medicaid certified healthcare facilities to have water management policies and procedures to reduce the risk of growth and spread of Legionella and other opportunistic pathogens in building water systems.
When it comes to the efficacy of Legionella disinfection technologies, too often people will measure the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time, and unwittingly think that the disinfectant is working when it’s not. For example, is there a role for HPC and validating disinfection efficacy Find out how to overcome and avoid these pitfalls.
Special Pathogens Laboratory conducted the first study of new RGM culture media to recover Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) from environmental water samples. Previously used for clinical recovery for NTM, this study shows that RGM is the most effective media to isolate these waterborne pathogens from potable and non-potable water sources paving the way for greater detection and prevention.
Not sure when or if you should use qPCR, the rapid molecular test used to detect Legionella? Confused about false positives? Learn about the differences between Legionella culture, the gold standard, and qPCR. Get the pros and cons for both tests so you can determine what test is best and when.
COVID-19 has highlighted the risk of exposure to Legionella in schools. But the risk is not new. Like other buildings, schools can be colonized during dormant periods. Do children get Legionnaires’ disease? Find out who is at risk and why. Learn what measures can be taken to minimize risk in schools.
Got questions about Legionella? Get the answers you need to prevent outbreaks and save lives! Join us for a live Q&A with Dr. Janet E. Stout as she un-puzzles the Legionella puzzle!
In January 2020, the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) released a new guideline titled, Legionellosis Guideline: Practices to Reduce the Risk of Legionellosis from Evaporative Heat Rejection Equipment Systems (GDL-159).