The New York State Health Department has implemented mandatory testing within hospitals and nursing homes. These tests are for the presence of Legionella within cooling towers and drinking water systems, and the results are to be reported to state health officials. The results of these tests performed at Cortland Regional Medical Center this fall were positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria. However, in a statement the medical center indicated there are no confirmed cases of hospital-acquired Legionella in association with these bacteria. Since the bacteria’s discovery, temporary water sources were implemented where needed, and more permanent ionization units have…
Legislation mandating that hospitals conduct routine tests for Legionella has paid off in Australia, where a Queensland hospital caught the bacteria in its water supply before patients were infected. A deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2013 prompted lawmakers to require that hospitals perform regular tests for Legionella. As a result of such tests, the Cunnamulla Hospital in southwestern Queensland reported last week that its water system contained Legionella bacteria. Hospital officials responded by chlorinating the water system, replacing water fixtures, and retesting the water supply. Thanks to the mandatory tests and the quick action of the hospital officials, no…