Page 18 - Healthcare

/ Point-of-use filters

CONTROLLING WATERBORNE CURRENT GUIDANCE
HEALTH RISKS

Water, essential for hygiene, can also be a source HSE guidance HSG274 Part 2 (2014) and DHSC
of infection if its quality is not controlled. Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 04-01
The proliferation of bacteria (Legionella spp., Part B (2016) provide guidance for the control
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc.) in the water supply of Legionella in hot and cold water systems and
or in mixers and taps may cause serious infections, on providing safe water in healthcare premises
especially for vulnerable people. respectively
Point-of-use filters prevent the discharge of planktonic
Water systems in all buildings open to the public Legionella from the tap and shower outlets and may be
BIOFIL filter for should be monitored for Legionella (e.g. hotels used to provide water free of P. aeruginosa.
mixers and taps and holiday accommodation, campsites, detention They should be used primarily as a temporary
centres, etc.) and not just healthcare facilities. measure until a permanent, safe engineering solution
The HSE Approved Code of Practice and Guidance is developed, although long-term use of such filters
(ACOP) document L8 states that duty holders should may be needed in some healthcare situations.
identify and assess sources of risk of exposure They may also be considered where a high level of
to Legionella; put in place precautions to prevent disinfection of water systems may dislodge biofilm.
or control that risk; and monitor these measures to Point-of-use micro-filters with a 0.2µm membrane
ensure that they remain effective. This applies in all constitute a means for removing Legionella and
circumstances where the Health and Safety at Work Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water drawn off from
Act 1974 applies. the system.
The prevention of health risks associated with HTM 04-01 Part C (2016) provides advice
pathogenic bacteria in water systems should be a on managing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in
constant concern for public buildings, and in particular augmented care units
Healthcare Facilities (see the current guidance For direct contact with augmented care patients,
BIOFIL spout filter opposite). water of a known satisfactory quality should be used,
for BIOCLIP mixers and taps that is, either: water where testing has shown absence
of P. aeruginosa; or water supplied through
The BIOFIL range of point-of-use filters provides a
preventative or curative solution to secure the water a POU filter; or sterile water (for example, for skin
quality at the point-of-use and protect the health of contact for babies in neonatal intensive care units).
the user.
HSG274 Part 2 states that monitoring
for Legionella should be carried out:
- when water is treated with biocides and when
distribution temperatures are reduced from HSE
guidelines.
- where water treatment regime control levels are not
being consistently achieved.
- where there is a high-risk of contamination e.g.
hospitals and care homes.
- where an outbreak of legionellosis has been
BIOFIL shower head filter identified.
When a sample identifies a Legionella count above
100 CFU/Litre (Colony Forming Unit) an immediate
review of the control measures and risk assessment
should be carried out to identify any remedial action
required. Disinfection of the system should also be
considered.
Point-of-use micro-filters are a means to restore
the bacteriological quality of water at the point-of-
use (anti-Legionella and all-germ tap filters and
shower heads, etc.).

BIOFIL filter
for wall-mounted showers

16 Point-of-use filters