Beyond Legionella

Environmental pathogens that pose a risk extend beyond Legionella and EST can provide you the analysis and guidance to understand these pathogens, especially in healthcare environments.  Some of the services enhance your Legionella validation program by addressing other pathogens that thrive in similar water conditions.  Other Services provide insight into potential infectious agents that are transmitted person-to-person via indoor surfaces, or organisms that can affect your indoor air quality.  All services are processed with the same high level of expertise that EST brings to Legionella.

CMS/Environmental Waterborne Pathogens Tests

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2021 drove the need to perform Legionellatesting as validation of an implemented and verified WMP.  However, there are additional waterborne pathogens that may be present that also need to be kept under surveillance.  In the above-mentioned memorandum CMS listed six additional pathogens to keep watch for in patient populations, especially the immunocompromised.  In response, EST developed a new combination Waterborne Pathogen Test. Because these other CMS pathogens have been overshadowed by the regulatory and legal focus on Legionella, these waterborne pathogens are sometimes referred to as the “Forgotten Six”:

• • • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
    • Acinetobacter species
    • Burkholderia cepacia complex
    • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
    • Mycobacterium species – Non-tuberculous (NTM)
      • Total NTM
      • M. avium
      • M. chimaera
    • Fungi (Molds and Yeast)

• • • • All pathogens are also available as an individual analysis.

Whirlpool Spa Legionella and Regulatory Disinfection Tests 

The public may be at risk of Legionnaires’ disease (and other diseases) from exposure to contaminated water in hot tubs or whirlpool spas.  These hot tubs may be encountered at hotels, on cruise ships or at home and garden expos.  Even if people are not using the hot tubs the mist produced by them may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. Exposure to these preventable dangers can create a huge legal liability and expense for your facility.  You can prevent the risk to the public and your facility by taking action now.

• • Tests that measure mandated regulatory-controlled disinfection parameters:
    • • Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Total Coliforms
      • Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) – Aerobic Bacterial Count
      • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Tests that measure Legionella control:
    • • Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1
      • Legionella pneumophila serogroup 2-14
      • Legionella (other species)
  • Tests that measure other spa-transmitted waterborne pathogens:
    • • Mycobacterium species – Non-tuberculous (NTM)
        • Total NTM
        • M. avium
        • M. chimaera

Candida auris & ESKAPE Bacteria Pathogen Testing

Don’t let Candida auris or ESKAPE drug-resistant pathogens become the source of an outbreak or death at your facility.

It has been well-established that environmental surfaces play an important role in the endemic and epidemic transmission of certain pathogens that cause healthcare-associated infections.  These bacteria (especially the so-called ESKAPE bacteria) and certain fungal/yeast pathogens (specifically Candida auris) share the ability to be shed from infected or colonized patients, survive as infectious agents on dry surfaces for extended periods, are difficult to treat because of multiple drug-resistances (MDRs), and are difficult to eradicate from their environmental locations, even with the recommended cleaning and disinfection agents and practices.

• • • • • • Candida auris

          • Enterococcus faecium + VRE

          • Staphylococcus aureus + MRSA

          • Klebsiella pneumoniae + CRE

          • Acinetobacter baumannii

          • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

          • Enterobacter species  + CRE

          • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)

          • Others pathogens of interest upon request

Analyses can be ordered individually, by select grouping, or all at the same time.
   All analyses for a sample site can be run from a single EST supplied surface swab. 

Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC)

One of the most potentially dangerous forms of corrosion in open recirculating waters and closed loops, is often overlooked; Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC). Most treatment programs focus on scale and corrosion control related to dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, but MIC must not be neglected. It has been said in the water treatment industry that, “You can’t stop Mother Nature, but you can slow her down.” That is the job of those in the industry, to identify and control threats to water systems, whether that is dissolved gasses or microscopic living organisms.

• • • Sulfate Reducing Bacteria – Monitor corrosion of metal surfaces
    • Nitrifying Bacteria – Detect corrosion on copper & steel
    • Acid Producing Bacteria -Monitor production of acids that attack metal surfaces
    • Denitrifying Bacteria– Track ammonia producers that attack copper alloys
    • Slime Forming Bacteria – Evaluate slime & sludge forming bacteria
    • Iron Related Bacteria – Track iron deposits that may cause plugging & metal deterioration
    • Fluorescent Pseudomonads – monitor biofilm that may supply nutrients for Legionella
    • Algae – Detect algae that can absorb and inhibit biocides causing pitting of metal

Sewage  Contamination Monitoring 

Screening for presence/absence of E.coli and Enterococci in environmental water and surface (swab) samples. 

Other Bacterial Analysis

EST offers a wide range of bacterial laboratory services including; bacteria counts, general characterizations, and identification of individual genus and species.

Other Fungal Analysis

EST offers a wide range of fungal laboratory services including; total counts, and identification of individual  genus and species.

Endotoxin Analysis

Laboratory services for dialysis or critical water systems for TIR-34 compliance.

Legionella