After the Pennsylvania Department of Health notified a county nursing home last week about the probability of the presence of Legionella bacteria in the facility’s water system, the nursing home took immediate precautions including ordering more intensive testing of the facility’s water that is currently underway.
The nursing home is continuing to operate but is using bottled water for drinking, bathing, and food preparation.
The following statement was issued by the facility’s management: “No tap water is to be consumed by residents, staff, or visitors or to be used for oral hygiene purposes. All residents will continue to be provided with bottled/jugs of water for drinking purposes. Bed baths will be given in lieu of showering/whirlpool bathing.”
Neither the facility nor county officials have indicated whether any of the residents in the 400-bed facility were exhibiting any symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease.
Information obtained from the state’s department of health website indicated that Pennsylvania is among those states with the most annual diagnoses of Legionnaires’ disease. Between 300 to 500 cases are diagnosed each year in Pennsylvania a 2017 report indicated.
The disease poses greater susceptibility for residents over 50 years of age and those with risk factors.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to regularly inspect the facility’s water system for the presence of harmful bacteria like the Legionella bacteria, and failure to have in place and activate the facility’s Infection Control Program, may be considered provision of substandard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures regarding regular inspection and maintenance of the facility’s water system to prevent harmful water-born bacteria like Legionella from infecting the system and posing a risk to residents, and ensure that the facility’s Infection Control Plan is being followed.
- Train staff on the protocols to follow when the facility’s water system is suspected of having harmful bacteria like Legionella.
- Periodically audit to determine if the facility’s water system is being regularly inspected and monitored for water-born bacteria.
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LEGIONELLA AND FACILITY WATER SYSTEM SAFETY
