Waterborne Multi-scope Pathogen Testing
Complying with ASHRAE 514 and CMS Risk Management of
Waterborne Opportunistic Pathogens
Hospitals and nursing homes have the inherent potential for housing immunocompromised patients who have an increased susceptibility to many infectious agents, including those bacteria that are present in potable water. In response to this, the memorandum from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of June 7, 2018, requires that healthcare facilities establish and implement a Water Management Plan (WMP) in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE 188-2018 that controls the risk for colonization and spread of Legionella, as well as other Waterborne Opportunistic Pathogens:
- Acinetobacter species
- Burkholderia cepacia complex
- Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
- Fungi (Aspergillus, other molds, and yeasts)
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018 drove the need to perform Legionella testing as validation of an implemented and verified WMP. Because these other CMS pathogens have been overshadowed by the regulatory and legal focus on Legionella until recently, these pathogens are sometimes referred to as the “Forgotten Six”. However, in 2023, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 514 expanded on Standard 188 with the inclusion of risk mitigation for those opportunistic waterborne pathogens mentioned CMS memorandum and others. These additional pathogens should be monitored alongside routine Legionella surveillance due to the danger these pose for inpatient populations, especially the immunocompromised. Below is the ASHRAE 514 expanded list:
Bacteria
- Acinetobacter species
- Burkholderia cepacia complex
- Elizabethkingia meningoseptica
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Sphingomonas paucimobilis
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Fungi
- Aspergillus
- Fusarium
EST can provide testing for any of these waterborne pathogens alongside your routine Legionella testing. If dictated by the WMP, these organisms may also be screened for individually. In addition, EST can perform screens for other pathogens that may be of importance to a facilities’ infection control program, Ralstonia pickettii, Serratia, and others.
Don’t let these forgotten pathogens become the source of an outbreak or death at your facility. Hospitals and nursing homes across the country have trusted EST as their Legionella and comprehensive Microbiology Testing Laboratory since 1993. You can trust EST to provide the best testing and solutions regarding these and other environmental pathogens.
CMS Other Waterborne Pathogen Testing
Analyses can be ordered individually, by select grouping, or all at the same time.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Acinetobacter species
- Burkholderia cepacia complex
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
- Nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) species
- Fungi (Aspergillus, other molds, and yeasts)
ASHRAE 514 Expanded Waterborne Pathogen Testing
Analyses can be ordered individually, by select grouping, or all at the same time.
- Acinetobacter species
- Burkholderia cepacia complex
- Elizabethkingia meningoseptica
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Sphingomonas paucimobilis
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia