The A to Z's of Microbial Control, Monitoring and Validation of Water Systems for Pharmaceuticals, Biologics, Medical Devices, Cosmetics, and Personal Care Products

All facilities manufacturing pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, cosmetics, and personal care products are likely to have high purity water systems. In spite of this purity, microorganisms can flourish within these systems and lead to undesirable contamination of facility processes and their products. Of all the individuals at the facility, it is site’s microbiologists who should understand the microorganisms in water systems and how best to monitor and control them. Sadly, this is often not the case due to the lack of familiarity with biofilm and its impact on water system sampling, testing, sanitization, and routine maintenance. This lack of understanding of microbial control often leads to poor system designs, poor system sampling, poor system maintenance and poor sanitization practices, and as a result, ongoing microbial problems with the water.

This course is designed to provide a microbiology-focused education about all aspects of water systems and how biofilm manages to thrive there. Prior microbiological education or training, though a plus, is not a requirement, since this training is for everyone involved with water systems, from the lab to utility room operations. The instructor will provide the necessary background needed to understand this very important subject matter. This understanding is essential for the proper design, validation, operation, monitoring, and maintenance of a high purity water system. Without this understanding, water system control and monitoring consists of a set of rules that often don’t work or result in erroneous monitoring data and can cause everything from very costly and unnecessary system downtime to patient injury and product recalls.