Plumbing Pathogens and Rising Medical Costs the Subject of New Study

In September, a new study was published in the Journal of Public Health Policy about the rising costs to treat infections associated with disease-causing bacteria frequently found in the water pipes of homes, buildings and healthcare centers.

Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine and the Friedman School of Nutritional Science analyzed 100 million Medicare records of adults 65 and older and found that between 1991 and 2006, there were over 600,000 hospitalizations associated with just three plumbing pathogens. These hospitalizations cost Medicare approximately $9 billion. The researchers also reported that antibiotic resistance can increase the cost of treatment from 10 to 40%.

The three plumbing pathogens that were the focus of the study included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium avium and Legionella pneumophila. According to the report, the most infections were associated with Pseudomonas and related bacteria with over 560,000 cases identified.

“Healthcare environments are particularly sensitive to the presence of these microorganisms in their water systems because of the large number of people they serve with a weakened or suppressed immune system and due to the procedures they provide,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Just last month, at least five patients at a medical center in Washington were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria were found in the hospital’s heater-cooler units used during surgical procedures. In California, over 25 children who underwent dental procedures at a clinic have recently been diagnosed with Mycobacterium infections believed to be linked with the facility’s on-site water system.”

EMSL Analytical, Inc. helps to prevent these types of infections and outbreaks by identifying a wide range of microorganisms from water samples and other environmental sources. They have laboratories throughout the United States and Canada and offer all of the supplies necessary to submit samples.

To learn more about environmental microbial pathogen testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email  info@EMSL.com  or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

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