Q&A: Water fixture infection control

It’s common knowledge that healthcare water systems can be a source of healthcare-acquired infections (HAI) if not cleaned properly. Just ask any of the facilities that found themselves dealing with a Legionella outbreak among patients.

Or you can ask CMS and other regulators who will be hunting for traces of bacteria, mold, and fungi in your water supply. They will inform you if they find any, and you will not be happy about it.

While we’ve written a lot about the role of plumbing in water infection control, the most common point of contact patients have with water is through showerheads, faucets, and ice machines. Just wiping down the outside of these fixtures isn’t enough to prevent the spread of infection.

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