We offer testing for Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in domestic hot and cold water systems aligned with the NHS Estates Technical Bulletin NETB No. 2024/3 (NETB No. 2024/3) published on 27 August 2024.
Why are NTMs a concern?
Nosocomial infections (hospital/healthcare acquired or associated infections) caused by Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTMs) are an emerging concern in healthcare settings, especially as medical technologies advance.
According to findings from a UK coroner’s inquest, an outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus at The Royal Papworth Hospital, which led to the deaths of two patients, was likely caused by contaminated water. The outbreak affected over 35 patients and has highlighted the issues associated with water quality in augmented care settings.
What are NTMs?
NTMs are Mycobacteria species that do not cause Tuberculosis (TB) but some of which can still cause infections in humans. They are commonly found in natural water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, and can survive in man-made environments like plumbing systems.
NTMs are hardy organisms capable of surviving a wide range of environmental conditions. They are resilient to biocides and extreme water temperatures, making healthcare plumbing systems an ideal environment for colonisation.
These bacteria can cause a range of infections in humans, especially in healthcare settings where individuals may have compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions. Understanding the role of NTM in healthcare water systems and its potential impact on patients is crucial for ensuring the safety of healthcare environments.
NHS Estates Technical Bulletin NETB No. 2024/3
To mitigate the risk of NTM infections associated with hospital water systems the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have released the NHS Estates Technical Bulletin NETB No. 2024/3 (NETB No. 2024/3) relating to Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) and the sampling of domestic hot and cold water systems in Healthcare.
NETBO No. 2024/3 aims to enhance the existing guidance in HTM 04-01 (2016), not replace it, to ensure that new projects, including refurbishments, are designed, constructed and commissioned to reduce the risk of NTM infections.
Within this Technical Bulletin, Section 6 of NETB No. 2024/3 requires a fully documented and risk-based water sampling plan, endorsed by the Project Water Safety Group (PWSG). This plan must include testing for Legionella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, aerobic colony counts, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs).
Eurofins offers verified NTM testing in line with NETBO No. 2024/3
The testing of NTMs is not straightforward as there is no standardised method in place. Pending the development of a standardised method, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has outlined a two-option schema for NTM detection in NETB No 2024/3 for samples taken from hospital domestic hot and cold water systems.
Eurofins team of qualified microbiologists have reviewed the UKHSA testing schema provided in NETB No. 2024/3 and developed a verified a method utilising a one of the selective media specified.
The testing is available now at Eurofins Healthcare Facilities Testing Laboratory in Sheffield and is in the process of being rolled out at all of the Eurofins Water Hygiene Testing Laboratories (Heathrow, Grimbsy, Livingston and Wolverhampton).
For more information on how we can help you test your water systems for NTMs, please Contact us or call us on 0845 604 6740 to pre-book your NTM sample testing.
