Resources to Mitigate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Risks in Hospitals and Buildings throughout Puerto Rico

Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that is found commonly in the environment, often in places like soil and water. Of the many different types of Pseudomonas, the one that most often causes infections in humans is known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can cause infections in the blood, lungs and potentially other parts of the body.

While Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in the natural environment, it can also sometimes be found in the built environment where it can be spread to people, especially those in healthcare settings. Resistant strains of the bacteria can spread from one person to another through contaminated hands, equipment or surfaces.

As recently as 2017, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused an estimated 32,600 infections among hospitalized patients and 2,700 estimated deaths in the United States alone. Those most at risk of infection according to the CDC include hospital patients:

• on breathing machines
• with devices such as catheters
• with wounds from surgery or burns

“Hospitals, nursing homes and other indoor environments with patients, residents or building occupants that are at elevated risk of developing an infection should pay careful attention to recommended infection control practices, including hand hygiene and environmental cleaning to reduce the risk of spreading germs,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Outside of the healthcare industry, there have also been numerous consumer products recalled over the years due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination so this is a pathogen that has also had a significant negative impact in manufacturing plants and factories across the globe.”

Dedicated to identifying and mitigating indoor exposure risks to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other microbial pathogens are the experts at Zimmetry Environmental. They provide infection control, industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality testing and consulting services in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean. Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about Pseudomonas aeruginosa and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/WQ9KMLbgXEM

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their infection control, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail