The control of bacteria in a healthcare units water systems is controlled by a range of Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) and Choice Framework for Policy and Procedures (CFFP) documents. The focus for these HTM documents is ensuring that the bacteria levels in healthcare facilities is kept under control and the risk to patients is minimised.

The risks associated to patients, especially the immunocompromised is a major factor to be considered when conducting a risk assesment and monitoring programme. ALS understand that UKAS ISO 17025:2005 accreditation is the minimum that customers demand for analysis of healthcare estates. Our analytical laboratories in Coventry and Wakefield are able to offer a broad range of UKAS accredited microbial analysis to meet HTM Guidance, including:

In addition to HTM guidance ALS Laboratories understand the impact of the Approved Code of Practice for Legionella (ACoP L8) and the supplemented Health and Safety Guidance (HSG274) parts 1, 2 and 3 on healthcare facilities.

Further to Legionella, other emerging pathogens of concern for healthcare facilities include the ESKAPE pathogens:

The ESKAPES pathogens are of particular concern to healthcare units due to their antibiotic resistant nature.

ALS Laboratories are members of the the Legionella Control Asociation (LCA) and colleagues in our technical, operations and sales teams are members of the Water Management Society (WMSoc)