ALS Environmental extension to scope granted by UKAS
ALS Environmental are delighted to announce that our extension to scope has been granted for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and TVC in endoscopy and dialysis waters.
We have satisfactorily submitted our request to UKAS and we can now confirm that we have accreditation for these tests in this matrix type. Endoscopy and dialysis waters are considered to be part of our recently defined ‘Ultra-Pure waters‘ matrix.
To see our updated UKAS schedule of accreditation, please click here.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa are opportunistic pathogens that are a significant risk to patients who immuno-compromised, due to its ability to grow in very low nutrient aqueous environments. TVC (Total Viable Counts) gives a quantitative idea about the presence of micro-organisms such as bacteria, yeast and mould and gives a result of colony forming units (cfu) in the sample.
ALS understand the need to keep bacteria in healthcare settings under control and ensure that the risk to patients is minimal. Our laboratory in Coventry is UKAS accredited to offer HTM guidance analysis for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (HTM04-01 parts A, B & C) and Endoscope analysis (CFFP01-06).
Coventry Operations Manager Pervinder Johal comments: “ALS Environmental continues to expand its UKAS scope in terms of accredited tests and methods available in the Environmental and Healthcare testing markets. This ensures we provide accredited results to help safeguard Public Health. We are continually looking to increase the level and scope of service we can offer this industry.”
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and TVC are just some of the microbiological testing required in healthcare facilities. ALS are able to assist our customers in other types of analysis including Legionella, Cryptosporidium and ESKAPE pathogens.
Legionella pneumophilia is the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease and this displays flu-like symptoms. ALS are able to analyse your samples for Legionella by either the standard culture method or by the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method. Cryptosporidium is a waterborne, protozoan, parasitic human pathogen and can cause many distressing ailments.
Legionella is not the only risk in healthcare facilities for vulnerable patients. ESKAPE pathogens are also of concern, they tend to be antibiotic resistant and can pose a high risk of infection from contaminated water. ESKAPE pathogens are detected by our ground breaking identification technique, known as MALDI-ToF technology. Using MALDI-ToF we are able to provide confirmation of the ESKAPE pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, within minutes rather than days by using previous traditional methods.
Click here for our technical datasheet about the ESKAPE Pathogens to find out more.
To find out more about ALS Environmental’s Pseudomonas aeruginosa, TVC, Legionella, Cryptosporidium and ESKAPE analysis, please contact us, or call the team on 02476 421 213.
Contact Us
ALS Environmental
Torrington Avenue
Coventry
CV4 9GU
T: 024 7642 1213
or :
Units 7 & 8
Hawarden Business Park
Manor Road
Hawarden
Flintshire
CH5 3US
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E: info.ukenviro@alsglobal.com
Testimonials
We had potential water quality problem due to the actions of a third party and needed samples taken as a matter of urgency. Although this was outside the strict terms of our contract with ALS they were able to provide a sampler on a Friday afternoon, get the samples taken and returned to their labs for analysis.
They backed this excellent performance up by emailing us the sample results over the weekend. All in all a great piece of customer service!
Bob Windmill, Head of Water Quality, Independent Water Networks
Ken Begg, Director, Aberdeen Sampling Ltd
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