In response to requests for more information about water management programs and the risk of Legionella, CMS has directed providers to updated resources from the CDC, and published a training webinar offered to surveyors on September 22, 2017.
Here are links to the materials:
- Fact Sheet: What Owners and Managers of Buildings and Healthcare Facilities Need to Know about Legionella Water Management Program
- Fact Sheet: What Owners and Managers of Buildings and Healthcare Facilities Need to Know about the Growth and Spread of Legionella
- Fact Sheet: From Plumbing to Patients
- Fact Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions Notably, this item includes information about whether routine testing for Legionella is recommended to validate a water management program at a healthcare facility. CDC’s short answer? “Sometimes. The water management program team should regularly monitor water quality parameters, such as disinfectant and temperature levels. By monitoring these parameters, the team can ensure that building water systems are operating in a way to minimize hazardous conditions that could encourage Legionella and other waterborne pathogens to grow. However, it is up to the team to determine how to validate the efficacy of the program, based on the environmental assessment and data supporting the overall performance of the water management program.” Consult the fact sheet for the complete response.
- CMS Surveyor Training Module. In this 45-minute video, CMS provides information for surveyors to assess hospitals, critical access hospitals, and LTC providers on their policies and procedures for water management implementation, and clarifies what to assess for and elements ensuring an effective water management plan.
