Cross-functional Water Risk Assessment: Deeper Dive into Water Systems and Reservoirs

Session Description: Limiting the water infection control risk assessment (WICRA) to one discipline does not fully capture patient risks. It can result in under or overestimating risk, with negative consequences for patient safety and hospital resources. Infection prevention must partner with facilities and water management experts to harness knowledge of water system complexities.

Water systems are comprised of subsystems and components, each with unique characteristics contributing to microorganism proliferation and subsequent infection risk. The way water is treated and used may vary even within the same building, significantly impacting risk profiles and control measures.

This session will explain water systems, subsystems, and components, including incoming water, treatment/filtration, hot and cold-water systems, reverse osmosis systems, cross-connects, distribution systems, and end-use outlets. Key point-of-use locations will be covered, including reprocessing equipment, ice machines, medical equipment, and dialysis machines.

Attendees will learn how a pediatric hospital used a cross-functional approach to tailor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) WICRA tool to examine their water system from the source to endpoints. This approach improved the accuracy and outcome of the risk assessment and scoring, allowing the team to prioritize control measures based on the likely impact to patient care areas and end-use devices.