PHO Rounds: Legionella in Healthcare Settings: When Risk Becomes Reality

Legionella is ubiquitous in water. Despite its widespread existence in both nature and the built environment, serious disease of humans from Legionella is relatively uncommon. Higher risk individuals, for example those who are older or immune compromised, can develop severe infection and die from legionellosis. A single case of possible healthcare-acquired legionellosis in a healthcare facility merits swift action, given the risk that may be posed to other residents/patients. Actions may include limiting access to potable water, water testing for Legionella, water treatment to reduce Legionella burden, and point-of-use and systemic risk mitigation interventions for plumbing. Preparedness, including a robust Water Management Plan, is critical to enable a timely response to a case of Legionella in a healthcare facility. This PHO Rounds will outline the immediate response to, as well as long-term risk mitigation strategies for Legionella using a case study from The Ottawa Hospital, and discuss the limitations and considerations of our Water Management Plan.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Recognize factors that promote Legionella persistence in healthcare settings
• List (at least) 3 key steps to mitigating the risk of Legionella in your facility
• Describe 3 limitations of Legionella testing (in people or in the environment)
• Develop practical plans for a presumed healthcare-acquired Legionella case or outbreak in your facility
Presenter(s): Ronald Drummond, P. Eng, CEM, FMP; Jessica Fullerton, MSc, CIC; Kathryn Suh, MD, FRCPC, CIC
The presentation can be found here: www.publicheal...