Guidance on management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems
On 12 March, the UK Department of Health published an addendum to the Health Technical Memorandum 04-01 Water sources and potential Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of taps and water systems – Advice for augmented care units.
The document is concerned with controlling and minimising the risk of morbidity and mortality due to P. aeruginosa associated with water outlets and provides guidance on:
- forming a Water Safety Group and developing water safety plans
- assessing the risk to patients when water systems become contaminated with P. aeruginosa or other opportunistic pathogens
- remedial actions to take when a water system becomes contaminated with P. aeruginosa
- protocols for sampling, testing and monitoring water for P. aeruginosa.
The guidance is directed towards healthcare organisations providing patient care in augmented care settings, and is specifically aimed at estates and facilities departments, and infection prevention and control teams. [Source: DH News Release, 12 March 2013. http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2013/03/pseudomonas-addendum]
In Scotland, the same issues have been addressed in Health Protection Scotland’s Guidance for neonatal units (NNUs) (levels 1, 2 & 3) adult and paediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in Scotland to minimise the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection from water. This is due for imminent publication with an accompanying CEL letter. SHTM 04-01 Parts A&B have also been amended to reflect this latest guidance and will be published on the Health Facilities Scotland website along with the new Part G (following a consultation period) at the end of March.
FoodWorld 