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Whirlpool Operation and the Prevention of Infection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Barry J. Davis*
Affiliation:
Hospital Infections Program, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Epidemic Investigations Branch, Hospital Infections Program, Center for Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333

Abstract

Disease outbreaks involving public whirlpools have been reported frequently since their use has become popular in recent years. Because public whirlpools are often used by persons who have only transient contact, infections resulting from their use are difficult to identify, and published reports probably represent only a small portion of a larger public health problem. Most published outbreaks have reported Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of the whirlpool as a result of failure to operate the pool according to recommended practices. Maintaining the microbiologic quality of whirlpool water and preventing infection absolutely require regular operation and maintenance, including monitoring and record keeping by qualified personnel.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1985

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References

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