Legionella Culture Analysis-2

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 Test

• 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. intracellulare
    • Fungi (Molds and Yeast)

• • All pathogens also available as individual analysis.

Whirlpool Spa Legionella with Disinfection Confirmation Tests 

• Includes seven analyses that measures disinfection adequacy and presence of the following pathogenic, waterborne bacteria:
  • Legionella
    • Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1
    • Legionella pneumophila serogroup 2-14
    • Legionella (other species)
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli)
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Mycobacterium species – Non-Tuberculous (NTM)
    • Total NTM
    • avium
    • intracellular

Candida auris & Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens Surface Test

• Let EST help validate your facility’s cleaning and disinfection procedures for control of Candida auris²and other menacing pathogens¹.  By using our Candida auris & Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens Test, you can definitively screen for a wide range of drug-resistant pathogens that can survive on surfaces and lead to costly HAI.
  • • Candida auris
    • Staphylococci – MRSA/MSSA/MRSE/ VRSA
    • Enterococci – VRE
    • diff (Clostridioides difficile)
    • Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) – Klebsiella pneumoniae / coli / others
    • Acinetobacter baumannii
    • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• • All pathogens also available as individual analysis.

Microbial Pipe Corrosion (BARTS)

• One of the most “hidden” but potentially one of the most dangerous forms of corrosion in open recirculating waters as well as in closed loops, is Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC). Most Treatment Programs focus, and perhaps rightfully so on scale and corrosion control related to dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, but MIC, the hidden enemy, must not be neglected. We have said in the Water Treatment Industry that “you can’t stop Mother Nature”, but you can slow her down, and that is the job of those of us in the industry– to identify and control the “unseen enemy”, whether it is dissolved gasses or microscopic living organisms. Click here to learn more.

• 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 water passages 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

• Ranges from Bacteria Count, specification of genus, to PEM

Other Fungal Analysis

• Fungal exams of both air and water.

Endotoxin Analysis

• Laboratory services for dialysis water

Legionella