AHCA/NCAL Webinar: Water Safety and Reducing the Risk for Legionella in Nursing Homes
The issue of Legionella and water safety has increasingly been a hot topic for long term care, particularly since the release of CMS guidance last year. In response to requests for more guidance, AHCA/NCAL has coordinated a webinar from Dr. Nimalie Stone of the CDC to provide clarity on the issue and invite questions & answers. The webinar will be recorded and available to access on ahcancalED after the event date.
Title: Water Safety and Reducing the Risk for Legionella in Nursing Homes
Event Date: January 31, 2018 – 1:30pm – 3:00pm (EDT)
Registration: educate.ahcancal.org/p/180131
Speaker: Nimalie D. Stone, MD, MSMD, MS
LTC Team Lead, Prevention and Response Branch
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Description: Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of bacterium called Legionella. Those at risk include persons who are at least 50 years old, smokers, or those with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease or immunosuppression. Outbreaks have been linked to poorly maintained water systems in buildings with large or complex water systems including hospitals and long-term care facilities. Transmission can occur via aerosols from devices such as showerheads, cooling towers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains. CMS expects Medicare certified healthcare facilities to have water management policies and procedures to reduce the risk of growth and spread of Legionella and other opportunistic pathogens in building water systems. This webinar will review the necessary steps to take and resources available to support your efforts in developing these prevention and management systems and processes.