Hydrosense has created the world’s fastest Legionella testing solution, developed to help support healthcare facilities and other high-risk environments with Legionella risk management. Designed for accuracy, simplicity, and speed, Hydrosense tests provide the confidence healthcare leaders need to protect patients, staff, and reputation.
Legionella pneumophila is the bacterium that causes 97% of Legionnaires’ disease cases worldwide. It is particularly dangerous in healthcare settings, where patients are often elderly, immunocompromised, or reliant on equipment connected to water systems. The stakes are severe: case fatality rates for healthcare-associated Legionnaires’ disease are around 25% in England and Wales and can rise to 40–80% among untreated immunocompromised patients. With Legionella capable of doubling in as little as 24 hours, time is the most critical factor in prevention.
Traditional laboratory culture methods are dangerously inadequate. Results can take up to two weeks - far too slow in the face of this fast-moving threat. Even more critically, lab culture will never detect VBNC (Viable But Non-Culturable) Legionella - bacteria that remain alive, infectious, and capable of causing disease. This blind spot leaves healthcare facilities exposed, even when lab results suggest water systems are safe.
Hydrosense changes the equation. Delivering on-site results in just 25 minutes, our tests give healthcare teams the ability to detect Legionella pneumophila immediately - including VBNC Legionella - and act before lives are lost.
Staff are also exposed to contaminated aerosols from water outlets. Research has shown that up to 50% of non-contact taps in hospitals test positive for Legionella, underlining the urgency of regular, rapid testing as part of a robust water management plan. Without proactive monitoring, hospitals and care facilities face not only the devastating human cost of preventable illness and death, but also reputational damage, litigation, and regulatory scrutiny.
Hydrosense PRO, our latest innovation, provides the essential solution for the unique needs of healthcare facilities. Tests are designed for use on water and biofilm samples, enabling hospitals to monitor across a wide range of outlets and surfaces. They detect the full spectrum of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-15, covering virtually all risk. Hydrosense tests are simple to use and require minimal training, empowering facility staff to integrate regular testing into daily routines.
Our mission is clear: to provide the fastest and most reliable tools to safeguard patients and protect staff against one of the most persistent waterborne threats – Legionella pneumophila.