Infection control is a growing emphasis with regulators, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that may trickle down to water system maintenance efforts.

 

Under the proposal, CMS would no longer pay Medicare reimbursement for a series of hospital-acquired conditions or infections, including Legionnaire’s disease. Legionnaire’s is caused by Legionella, a bacterium that can flourish in water systems and infect immunocompromised patients.

 

Hospitals have until June 13 to comment on the proposal, and CMS will issue a final rule on or before August 1, 2008. Click here for further information about the rule.

 

Platinum subscribers to the Hospital Safety Center can read an article about preventing Legionella.