Infection Control and Risk Assessment Tools

Infection control and prevention are hot topics for the hospital industry and medical facilities. Changes in the regulatory environment have put a new emphasis on the topic. Suzanne Blevins will address the currently used infection control and risk assessment (ICRA) criteria and procedures for IAQ consultants, hygienists, facility managers, and contractors. As a laboratory director, she will provide us with insight on which sampling strategies and methods are best indicated for hospital surveys.

Suzanne Blevins, founder of Aerobiology Laboratory, is a graduate of Virginia Tech.  She has thirty seven years experience in areas of clinical and healthcare microbiology, environmental and building science microbiology and industrial microbiology applications.

Aerobiology, now in its 16^th year, has a national presence with three AIHA and NVLAP accredited microbiology and asbestos testing laboratories in the Washington DC area, Atlanta, Georgia, Denver, Colorado and its newest location in Phoenix, Arizona which is awaiting accreditation.    All but the Phoenix are also ELITE CDC certified for Legionella testing. 

Suzanne also holds a board position from the Commonwealth on the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, Mold and Home Inspectors and is also an owner of Apheresis Associates of Northern Virginia which is a collection clinic for donors of stem cells through the National Marrow Donor Program.

Legionella: Best Choices based on the Latest Information

Matt Freije will expand on the theme of our session by providing an overview on the latest Legionella related technologies, Legionnaires'-related lawsuits, current guidelines, standards and the ASHRAE Standard 188P. He will discuss opportunities for consultants, and prevention strategies for facility operators, and discuss hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans.

Matt Freije is the founder and president of HC Info. He earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a graduate certificate in epidemiology and biostatistics from Drexel University. Matt has focused on preventing Legionella infections since 1995. He has helped building operators prevent and solve Legionella problems in hundreds of buildings, taught seminars, developed HACCP plan templates, written and narrated e-learning courses, and served as an expert in more than 50 Legionella-related lawsuits. His first book, Legionellae Control in Health Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk, has sold in more than 30 countries.

The IAQA Chapter will host a catered networking breakfast during the workshop's break. The event will consist of 4 hours of presentation time, question and answer sessions and plenty of opportunities to network!

Approved for Continuous Education Credits by:

ACAC for 4 Credits

IICRC for 0.5 Credits