Age Factor & Legionella Within Health Facilities
This article will briefly examine why age care and hospitals are of concern when looking at the control of Legionnaires’ Disease.
Legionella affects all water systems and potable water supplies.
Age care facilities are a high-risk group in terms of Legionella infections. Those of an increased age group tend to be predisposed to severe infections which can prove to be fatal. Historic data on patients that have presented with Legionellosis shows that the number of infections increase once over the age of 45.
Below is a graph taken from notifications of Legionnaires’ Disease, Australia’s notifiable diseases status, 2010: Annual report of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
Looking at the risk involved with hospitals and clinics, patients may have underlying illnesses making them susceptible to Legionnaires’ Disease. Large hospitals tend to have extensive water systems which have undergone retrofits leaving dead ends. When you think about it, there can be multiple sinks, toilets or showers which may not always be in use, that can stagnate leading to the growth of Legionella. There are inconsistencies in the temperatures of water as it makes its journey around the building. There may be warm water systems which reduce the risk of scalding but have an unfortunate prerequisite to Legionella as they sit in the temperature range of 35 – 42℃.
Queensland has recently implemented legislation which is creating some epidemiological information, showing how widespread Legionella presence is among public and private facilities:-
“For the period 1 February to 30 June 2017, 273 public and private facilities reported a total of:
- 14,259 water samples collected and tested for Legionella; and
- 753 Legionella detections reported to Queensland Health.”
These statistics translate into a 5.3% likelihood or 1 in 19 chance of a positive result from water testing.
These statistics could be greatly reduced by identifying problem areas on site and using a suitable control to reduce the likelihood of Legionella growth. One way to achieve this is through a site survey to examine all possibilities. Focus should be site wide without becoming fixated on only the most high risk causes.
In Australia, the age care sector is projected to be an expanding demographic and with it, increased demand on health services. Taking proactive steps to examine your individual Legionella risks on site provides protection to clients and your business.
As an experienced, Queensland based company contact Compliance Water Services if you are a licensee or an approved provider and you have concerns about your current situation.
We can be found at: www.compliancewaterservices.com.au
Sources
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdi3601a12.htm
