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Long-Term Control of Legionella Species in Potable Water After a Nosocomial Legionellosis Outbreak in an Intensive Care Unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Joseph Borau
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
Ryan T. Czap
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
Kathleen A. Strellrecht
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
Richard A. Venezia*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
*
Department of Epidemiology, MC 22, Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208

Abstract

Environmental and patient-care control measures were initiated in response to an outbreak of legionellosis in an intensive care unit in 1992. The measures included maintaining elevated potable hot-water temperatures following superheating and using sterile water for administrations through nasogastric tubes. Legionella species remained below detectable levels in the potable hot-water system upon reevaluation in 1999. Nosocomial cases of legionellosis have not been reported since the outbreak.

Type
Concise Communication
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2000

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