Building a Safer Future: Water Pathogen Prevention in a New Hospital

1 IPU

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

Speakers: 

Ryan Geoit BS, a-IPC, CIC & Ian Mckenzie REH

Waterborne pathogens pose a significant threat to patient safety, especially in large healthcare facilities with complex plumbing systems. This presentation explores the strategic planning and implementation of a comprehensive water management program in a newly constructed 28-story, 200+ bed academic hospital. Attendees will gain insights into the multidisciplinary collaboration required to mitigate risks associated with Legionella and other opportunistic water pathogens.

The session will detail the integration of infection prevention principles into the design and construction phases, including risk assessments, engineering controls, and regulatory compliance. It will also cover the development of a site-specific water management plan (WMP), stakeholder engagement, and post-occupancy validation strategies. Real-world challenges and solutions will be shared, including how to navigate construction constraints, ensure environmental monitoring, and respond to water-related incidents.

To support practical implementation, the presentation will reference key resources such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 188, which outlines risk management practices for building water systems, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Toolkit for Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce Legionella Growth and Spread in Buildings. It will also incorporate guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) memorandum QSO-17-30, which emphasizes hospital responsibilities in reducing Legionella risk. Additional standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and NSF International (NSF) related to potable water systems and plumbing safety, as well as recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on premise plumbing, will be discussed to provide a comprehensive framework for water safety planning in healthcare environments.

IPUs: 

• APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s). 
• For more information, please see https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Rece...