ACE Environmental Advisory explores potential risks of mold and legionella at healthcare facilities

The ACE Group today announced the release of an environmental advisory entitled, "Legionella and Mold: Construction and Renovation Risks at Healthcare Facilities," which explores the potential risks of pollutants, such as mold and legionella, that hospitals and healthcare facilities can experience during renovation or construction projects. The advisory examines ways to help mitigate these risks and suggests why healthcare facilities should consider a comprehensive, proactive approach to maintenance and planning for construction projects to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of high quality and safe care.

The ACE Environmental Advisory is the first of a series of papers designed to provide useful information on current industry topics faced by risk managers. "With our environmental risk practice's vast scope of products, services and expertise, we are committed to providing practical information on a range of relevant issues," said William P. Hazelton, Executive Vice President, ACE Environmental Risk. "This advisory addresses a matter of critical importance to those involved with healthcare facility construction projects. Our goal is to assist them in designing a comprehensive approach to the management of potential pollutant risks and exposures."

The ACE Environmental Advisory was co-authored by Jack Frost, Assistant Vice President, ACE Environmental Risk, Steve Piatkowski, Vice President, ACE Environmental Risk and Frank Westfall, Vice President, ESIS Health, Safety and Environmental Services.

The advisory explains how building projects at healthcare facilities need to be carefully planned and managed. "By thorough, careful and proactive risk planning and compliance, healthcare facilities managers can help keep infrastructure up-to-date while protecting their patients, staff, reputation and bottom line from future pollutant risks," said Frank Westfall, Vice President of the environmental division of ESIS Health, Safety and Environmental Services.

The advisory also discusses insurance considerations for hospitals and healthcare facilities. According to Steve Piatkowski, Vice President of ACE Environmental Risk, "healthcare-specific premises pollution insurance products provide coverage for a variety of risks as well as assistance in managing a crisis, should one occur."

Jack Frost, also part of the ACE Environmental Risk team, added, "Due to the dangers posed by mold and legionella, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers are expected to release new standards this year. Healthcare facility managers need to know what to expect and what they need to do to be in conformance."