Open AccessPreventing Healthcare-Associated Legionellosis with Rapid Reduction of High Concentrations of Legionella Using Mechanical Removal of Blind Ends and Intensive Hot Water Flushing
Author(s) -
Alan Medić,
Anamarija Jurčev Savičević,
Boris Dželalija,
Dinko Puntarić,
Ines Leto,
Ivanka Matas,
Ljilja Balorda
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
infektološki glasnik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1848-7769
pISSN - 1331-2820
DOI - 10.37797/ig.41.1.1
Subject(s) - legionella , flushing , sampling (signal processing) , legionella pneumophila , environmental science , water treatment , intensive care , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , tap water , environmental engineering , veterinary medicine , emergency medicine , biology , filter (signal processing) , intensive care medicine , bacteria , genetics , computer science , computer vision , endocrinology
Background: The aim of this paper was to present the effectiveness of the mechanical removal of blind ends and flushing of hot water systems at outlets as the only possible emergency measures to reduce the concentration of Legionella spp in hot water.Methods: Two measures have been undertaken: mechanical removal of blind ends and intensive hot water flushing when the water has not been used for more than 7 days.Results: We detected Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in concentration of 1.000- 55.000 CFU/L at all samples sites. In the control sampling, after three weeks, we found seven sampling sites negative for Legionella and only two sampling sites positive. All nine sampling sites were negative after ten weeks.Conclusion: Establishing good water flow throughout the hospital seems to be the most important measure, in order to make the multiplication of Legionella in the hot water distribution systems unlikely.