The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo in June indicating that it now expects certified health care facilities to have water management policies and procedures. Read the memo here. The state Department of Health notes that is has learned of at least one facility that has been cited by CMS for lacking a water management program.
In addition, the Puget Sound Association of Professionals in Infection Control will hold a Legionella tabletop October 30 in Tukwila, discussing water management programs and steps in Legionnaires’ disease case, cluster and response. Registrations will be forthcoming.
CMS offers a water management toolkit, which includes information about what building types the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends have a water management program. (Jessica Symank)