Legionella: A Deadly Problem for Hospitals and Care Homes

Worldwide, cases of hospital acquired Legionnaires’ disease have been on the rise, with research showing that the potentially fatal bug is present in 12-85% of all hospital water systems¹. A study carried out by CDC found that 19% of cases are associated with long-term care facilities and 15% with hospitals. The majority of cases have been linked to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1². 

Why are Hospitals and Care Homes High Risk?

Legionnaires’ disease is life-threatening unless treated quickly. This is especially true in healthcare and care facilities where mortality rates are as high as 40% due to the vulnerability of residents³. Individuals that have weakened immune systems, who have undergone recent surgery and who are using respiratory equipment are at a much higher risk of being infected with the disease⁴. Smokers, the elderly and new-born babies are also more susceptible to infection. Because of this, such facilities should be highly aware of the risks and should aim to reduce risk factors to 0.

Some common areas for concern are showers, humidifiers, respiratory devices and even birthing pools, which were implicated in the infection of a new born babies in Arizona in 2016⁵. Complicated or old pipework with dead legs or water systems where water is kept below 50 degrees Celsius also pose a threat, as they provide ideal conditions for rapid Legionella growth and spread. This is a serious problem for both ageing facilities and newly renovated ones where schematics of old and new pipework may not be up to date or complete.

How to Test for Legionella in Hospitals and Care Homes?

Regular monitoring, testing and disinfection of water systems in a healthcare environment is crucial. However, water safety plans are often designed to meet bottom line regulations rather than to minimise Legionella risks to 0, and in some cases may not be comprehensive enough to completely avoid growth and spread of Legionella bacteria – for example, the Lab Culture method which is outlined in most regulations and guidelines all over the world cannot detect VBNC Legionella and cannot easily detect Legionella in its most dangerous phase, the motile phase, because these stages are not culturable in a lab environment⁶.

What’s VBNC bacteria? 

This method also has a very slow time to result - a huge problem when the risk of acquiring Legionnaires’ disease can increase by 64% for every hour spent near the source of an outbreak⁸ (this number is likely to be higher for patients who are immunosuppressed). Thus, it is crucial that duty managers in the healthcare and nursing home sector can implement remedial action quickly.

Today, faster solutions like Hydrosense can provide duty holders with quick and accurate results for the most dangerous strain of Legionella – L. pneumophila SG1 – which is responsible for almost all cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Results can be obtained onsite in minutes, by anyone with little to no training. This simple test can protect against many of the limitations of the Lab Culture method, helping to protect vulnerable persons and avoid other negative consequences of an outbreak such as huge fines and bad press.

More like this:

Legionnaires' Disease is Hospitals is Widespread, Deadly and Preventable

Legionella Risk in Pools and Spas

Legionella - Are you at risk?

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