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WHAT TO KNOW
LEGIONELLA
Legionella is a bacteria commonly found in natural freshwater environments, but it becomes a serious health risk when it grows in man-made water systems. When conditions are right, such as low disinfectant levels, warm, stagnant water in plumbing systems, cooling towers, or decorative fountains Legionella can multiply rapidly. The bacteria are transmitted when contaminated water becomes aerosolized and is inhaled, most notably causing Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Legionnaires’ disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, or those with chronic lung conditions. Symptoms often resemble the flu—fever, cough, and shortness of breath—but can escalate quickly, leading to hospitalization or death if not treated early. According to the CDC, thousands of cases are reported in the U.S. each year, with many more likely going undiagnosed. Outbreaks have occurred in hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels, and office buildings—often due to poor water management and lack of routine testing. Preventing Legionella is entirely possible—and it starts with proactive water safety practices. Proper water management plans, routine Legionella testing, ongoing disinfection and treatment, and real-time monitoring are essential. At Legionella Specialties, we specialize in identifying risks, implementing continuous treatment strategies like WaterGuard MO™, and ensuring your facility not only stays compliant—but safe.
COMPLIANCE
In response to the growing threat of waterborne pathogens like Legionella, The Joint Commission (JCAHO) has implemented updated standards requiring hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other accredited organizations to develop and maintain comprehensive water management programs (WMPs). These requirements are not optional—they are tied to survey readiness, patient safety, and regulatory accountability. To be compliant, a facility must implement a proactive, documented water management strategy based on the key elements outlined in the Joint Commissions R3 Report and ASHRAE 188 guidelines. This includes: Conducting a risk assessment of all potable water systems, including potable water systems. Identifying critical control measures (such as live bacteria, temperature, residual disinfectant levels, and oxidation reduction potential) where Legionella and other bacteria can grow. Establishing control measures with limits for each of those critical points. Monitoring and documenting system performance and control measure outcomes on a routine basis. Validating the effectiveness of the water management plan through testing (including Legionella testing where appropriate), for routine testing, tracking, and quarterly reviews. Assigning responsibility by identifying a designated team or individual in charge of the WMP, corrective actions, and documentation. Maintaining comprehensive documentation that demonstrates due diligence, monitoring results, test outcomes, corrective actions, and ongoing updates to the plan. The Joint Commission is increasingly focused on ongoing performance and documentation, not just having a policy on file. This means real-time monitoring, quarterly testing, and the use of validated disinfectants (like WaterGuard MO™) can help ensure your plan isn’t just theoretical, but that it’s working in practice. In the event of a survey or outbreak investigation, documentation is your best defense. At Legionella Specialties, we build JCAHO WMPs, offer ongoing tracking, lab-certified testing, and supporting your team with staff education and training. Our integrated CRM ensures every action, result, and response is captured and ready to present so you’re never caught off guard. Let us help you turn compliance into confidence.
TESTING
At Legionella Specialties, we take a rigorous, science-based approach to Legionella testing and microbial analysis, ensuring your facility not only meets compliance standards but also operates with complete transparency and risk awareness. Our testing process is built around accuracy, repeatability, and rapid insight so you can make informed decisions before small issues become large-scale problems. We begin by performing a base-line sampling plan, targeting high-risk areas. This includes sampling points like cooling towers, domestic hot water systems, decorative water features, storage tanks, and other high-risk areas identified during your risk assessment. We follow JCAHO R3 guidelines to determine how many samples are needed and where to collect them for maximum visibility into system health. Our trained technicians collect water samples using sterile containers, proper PPE, and chain-of-custody documentation. These samples are then sent to a CDC-ELITE-certified laboratory, where they undergo Legionella culture analysis—the gold standard in bacterial detection. Culturing not only confirms the presence of Legionella bacteria, but also quantifies the level of contamination, so we can measure how serious a risk may be. When needed, we also perform PCR and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) testing for additional data. Once lab results are received, we don’t just drop off the report we interpret the results with you, highlighting actionable insights and recommending next steps. If elevated Legionella counts are detected, our team will immediately recommend remediation measures and adjust your water management strategy as needed. All results and actions are logged in our secure client CRM portal, making it easy to track trends over time and stay compliant with regulatory reporting requirements. Testing isn’t a one-time task. That’s why we offer quarterly testing programs as part of a continuous water safety strategy. Regular testing not only satisfies Joint Commission expectations, but it also gives you peace of mind, real data, and the ability to respond before an issue becomes a liability. With Legionella Specialties, testing is more than compliance it’s a proactive shield for your facility, your staff, and your patients or residents.
UNDERSTAND THE GUIDELINES
Stay ahead of the latest Joint Commission water safety standards with our expert-developed Legionella Guidelines eBook.
This free resource includes:
Step-by-step guidance for water management planning
Key compliance checklists
Practical prevention strategies
Insights on testing, treatment, and documentation
Perfect for hospitals, extended care facilities, and facility managers.
Fill out the form to get your copy instantly.
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CDC GUIDELINES FOR PICKING THE RIGHT CONSULTANT
CDC Guidelines for Working with Legionella Consultants
The CDC has published a detailed resource titled “Considerations When Working with Legionella Consultants” to help hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other building operators ensure they're partnering with professionals who meet the highest standards. At Legionella Specialties, we not only align with these recommendations, we exceed them.
At Legionella Specialties, our team brings years of clinical, engineering, and regulatory expertise to every engagement. We’re proud to work with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and commercial clients across the country to assess risk, build compliant WMPs, and provide long-term support with data-driven insights.
Hear the Full Story
We recently recorded a podcast episode exploring these CDC guidelines in depth—what they mean, how to apply them, and real-world examples from our own consulting work. It’s a must-listen for anyone responsible for facility safety, water quality, or compliance.
PODCASTS
Explore our collection of informative podcasts to stay up to date on Legionella prevention, compliance, and best practices.
Tune in and learn from industry experts on how to protect your facility and stay ahead of water safety regulations.
