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Legionella, a type of bacteria, can thrive in man-made water systems, posing a serious health threat. It causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness. Fortunately, proactive maintenance strategies can significantly reduce the risk of Legionella growth in your water supply. This message will explore preventative maintenance practices and the crucial water quality parameters to monitor for optimal legionella control.

Water is essential in healthcare settings, not just for basic hygiene but also for complex medical procedures and device processing. Recognizing its critical role, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has introduced ST108. This standard evolves from its predecessor, AAMI TIR34. This new standard marks a significant advancement in defining water quality parameters, underscoring the integral link between water quality and patient safety.

Legionella, a menacing bacterium lurking in water systems, poses a genuine threat, leading to severe lung infections like Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. While Legionella exists naturally in freshwater environments, its proliferation in man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing can result in health hazards.

Legionella sample results, ranging from "non-detectable" to "high," play a pivotal role in gauging the extent of Legionella growth, a key factor in the chain leading to Legionnaires' disease. The ultimate objective is to curtail the potential for bacterial amplification. While achieving 100% non-detectable samples may not be imperative, understanding and interpreting these levels are paramount.

Cooling towers are one of the most common places where Legionella can grow, as they provide the warm, moist environment that the bacteria needs to thrive. There are a number of different treatments that can be used to control Legionella in cooling tower water covered in our article.

The AAMI ST standard (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Sterilization) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of water used in the processing of medical devices. As the medical industry continues to advance, it becomes increasingly important to adhere to these standards to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of medical instruments.