Investigation Resources > All Pathogens & Diseases > Water-Associated Organisms

Water-Associated Organisms

Published
December 26, 2024
Last updated
July 25, 2024

About Water-Associated Organisms

Healthcare facilities often have complex distribution pathways and other features which serve as a favorable environment for the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens such as nontuberculous mycobacteria and Legionella, among many others. Water-associated organisms have caused many outbreaks in healthcare settings and these outbreaks can be challenging to detect and control. This page offers a collection of resources to assist with water-related outbreak detection and response. CORHA's Nontuberculous mycobacteria, Burkholderia cepacia, and Legionella resource pages offer additional detailed information.

Routine clinical care can result in exposure and transmission, either directly or indirectly, from sinks, showers, toilets, and ice machines. Patients also may be exposed to these organisms through medical products (i.e., medications and medical devices), which can become contaminated at the point of manufacture or at the healthcare facility through improper handling (e.g., storage, preparation, or administration of the products near water sources).

Resources, Guides, Reports, & Toolkits

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Featured New Updated

Reducing Risk from Water, from Plumbing to Patients

 By CDC

Helpful information, resources, and tools for understanding and reducing infectious risks due to water-associated organisms.

Featured New Updated

Tap Water Quality and Infrastructure Discussion Guide for Investigation of Potential Water-Associated Infections in Healthcare Facilities

 By CDC

This guide provides an organized approach to identifying the potential sources of exposure.

New Updated

Healthcare Outbreaks Associated with a Water Reservoir and Infection Prevention Strategies

 By Journal

Literature review describing healthcare outbreaks associated with water, common transmission routes, and infection prevention strategies.

New Updated

Tap Water Avoidance Decreases Rates of Hospital-onset Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

 By Journal

This outbreak response involved avoiding the use of nonsterile water and offers considerations for expanded use of this strategy.

New Updated

Investigation of healthcare infection risks from water-related organisms: Summary of CDC consultations, 2014-2017

 By Journal

Summary of water-associated organism outbreak consultations that details commonly encountered transmission routes associated with clinical care.

New Updated

Outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections linked to water-containing hospital equipment: a literature review

 By Journal

This paper summarizes common hospital medical devices that use water and have led to outbreaks; the authors propose measures to help mitigate these risks.

Principles & Practices

Comprehensive information to build, standardize or improve practices related to HAI/AR outbreak detection, reporting, investigation, or control.

Water-Associated Organisms Outbreak Reports & News