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The Importance of Mold Testing and Monitoring in Healthcare Facilities

EMSL Analytical provides indoor environmental quality testing to identify microbial pathogens in healthcare settings to assist in preventing outbreaks and to help ensure surface cleaning and disinfection efforts are effective.


Seattle, WA – WEBWIRE

Over the past several years there have been multiple cases of hospitals temporarily closing parts of their facilities due to the presence of mold. Not only can elevated levels of mold act as a respiratory irritant, allergen and asthma trigger for patients and workers, but some types of mold can cause potentially deadly infections in people.

Just last year it came to light that a cluster of patients in a hospital in Washington had developed infections due to exposure to AspergillusAspergillus is a common mold that can be found indoors and outdoors. While most people will inhale Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to exposure. Health problems caused by Aspergillus can include allergic reactions, lung infections and infections in other organs.

If there is a higher number of patients with invasive mold infections than usual within a healthcare facility it could indicate an outbreak, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency goes on to state that most invasive mold infections are caused by Aspergillus and mucormycetes, but other molds can also cause outbreaks. Detecting outbreaks of invasive mold infections early is important to help patients get the right treatment so healthcare personnel can take action to prevent others from getting sick.

“Proactively testing and monitoring for mold in healthcare environments is an important part of an infection control program,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At EMSL, we have helped with these efforts in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes and other healthcare-related environments with indoor environmental quality testing for mold and bacteria from air, surfaces and water samples. Our laboratories, located across the United States and Canada, also provide all of the sampling supplies needed and even carry building inspection tools, such as infrared cameras and moisture meters, to help detect potential areas of mold growth.”

To learn more about sampling for mold and bacteria in healthcare settings or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.


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 Mold
 Hospital
 Aspergillus
 Indoor Environment
 Mold Test


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