Indoor Air Quality / Microbial Matter in Healthcare Facilities
While mold spores are ubiquitous in the human environment, there has been considerable debate about the effects of mold exposure on the healthy individual. For those individuals with certain immune deficiencies however, the potentially significant negative health effects of mold exposure are well known. Despite the prevalence of mold spores in the typical healthcare environment, fungal infections resulting from mold exposure are largely preventable.
- Patients with variable degrees of immune system dysfunction are known to be at greater risk for illness from exposure to opportunistic fungal pathogens such as those present in certain mold spores including Aspergillus spp.
- Susceptible patient exposure in the healthcare setting can be the result of unresolved moisture issues, construction defect, new construction and/or renovation activities.
What Can Be Done To Protect Your Patients?
PREVENTION OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION AND ITS EFFECTS BEGINS WITH HERMA
Components of the HERMA Microbial Program
- Provide resources, education and tools for HERMA facilities to implement standardized microbial risk management programs in compliance with best industry practices
- Document healthcare worker training and implementation of microbial risk reduction strategies
- Provide risk management consultation and response strategies when issues arise
- Develop self-reporting protocols with defensible third party auditing for facilities to demonstrate program compliance, validation, and verification which will allow for the purchase of definitive insurance coverage for HAIs and specific microbial risk
Benefits of the HERMA Microbial Program
TO REDUCE MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION AND EXPOSURE ISSUES IN PARTICIPATING FACILITIES THEREBY PROTECTING PATIENTS, REDUCING POTENTIAL FINANCIAL IMPACT, MITIGATING LIABILITY, AND RESULTING IN A HIGHER STANDARD OF CARE.
For Additional Information email info@HERMAResources.org.