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Legionnaires' Disease - Hospital-acquired
Legionnaires' disease
usually originates in hospital water systems. Legionella
not only persists in hot water tanks, it is often found
in the biofilm through the entire water system. Conditions
within water systems that promote Legionella colonisation
include water temperature, configuration and age of
the hot water tank, and plumbing materials.
Fatality Rates
An estimated 10 to 15 thousand people contract Legionnaires'
disease in the US each year; 5 to 15% of these cases
prove to be fatal. An additional unknown number are
infected with Legionella bacterium and have mild symptoms
or no illness at all. Additionally, Legionellosis is
frequently misdiagnosed as common pneumonia.
Nosocomial Legionellosis
The occurrence of Legionnaires disease, and subsequent
fatality rates, caused by nosocomial Legionellosis are
much higher in hospitals & healthcare facilities
than are observed elsewhere. In many parts of the world
there is strong legislation to ensure that this entirely
avoidable disease is prevented from coming into contact
with high-risk members of the population.
Risk Management
In the US the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) recommends a Risk Minimization
Plan for all healthcare facilities "to reduce the
potential for organisational-acquired illness including
managing pathogenic biological agents in cooling towers,
domestic hot water, and other aerosolising water systems.
The UK's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) also produce
excellent guidance on the control and management of
Legionella risks in their L8 Document.
"The risk of hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease
can be minimised by control measures directed at the
water distribution system.
Additional Information
For further information and expert assistance please
call us on +44 (0) 161 877 0586 or
email info@legionellacontrol.com.
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