Margaret Jasinski is an Account Manager for Phigenics. She oversees Phigenics accounts within the Central Florida region and creates comprehensive water management programs for her clients. Margaret enjoys discussions about public health strategies, health reform and policy, and mindful leadership.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) champions the health of all people and communities. Every year, through its strong commitment to service, APHA hosts a National Public Health Week (NPHW). This year, April 2 - 8, kicks off NPHW - Healthiest Nation 2030, a theme that highlights public health education and community awareness. Some areas of focus for 2018 are: achieving the power of prevention, advocating for healthy and fair policies, sharing strategies for successful partnerships and championing the role of a strong public health system.
A key facet to attaining the Healthiest Nation by 2030 is the responsibility of the health system to provide quality healthcare to everyone, which encompasses the provision of quality environments in which to provide that care. To develop these environments, leading healthcare organizations prioritize proactive facility management practices and programs, such as the management of building water systems, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NSF International and ASHRAE.
According to the CDC, preventable maintenance deficiencies for building water systems have been associated with disease outbreaks, with the most frequent outbreaks occurring in long-term care facilities and hospitals (Garrison, et al., 2016). These building-associated disease outbreaks have been linked most notably with process failures (65%) and human error (52%), which include inadequate disinfectant levels and temperatures in building water systems that can support bacterial growth, with other deficiencies being equipment failures, unmanaged external conditions, or a combination of these factors (Garrison, et al., 2016).
By proactively implementing comprehensive water management programs, healthcare organizations reduce the likelihood of building water system-associated outbreaks such as Legionnaires' disease. In addition, these programs empower these organizations to provide quality care and quality environments for not only their patients and guests, but also their neighboring communities.
Through a commitment to uphold the highest quality of care and an effort to operate sustainably and efficiently, leading healthcare organizations share their support for water management as a key policy.
How will your organization take action to contribute to APHA - NPHW’s movement in creating the Healthiest Nation by 2030?
Citation:
Garrison, L. E., Kunz, J. M., Cooley, L. A., Moore, M. R., Lucas, C., Schrag, S., Sarisky, J. and Whitney, C. G. (2016). Vital Signs: Deficiencies in Environmental Control Identified in Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease - North America, 2000-2014, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr.
