You may have heard about the outbreak of legionella in hospitals that resulted in the closure of a Wolverhampton hospital. In spite of Penn Hospital reporting no instances of legionnaires' disease, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged that the higher levels of legionella bacteria identified there resulted in its temporary closure, with all patients being relocated as a safety precaution.
Routine water testing revealed the bacterium in early April, prompting the revelation. Patients were allowed to return to the hospital two weeks after it reopened after the completion of emergency repairs.
A spokesperson from the NHS said: “We want to reassure patients and the community that there are currently no confirmed cases, but we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Legionella In Hospitals
The flu-like sickness known as legionnaires' disease can be lethal if not treated promptly. Legionnaires' disease is spread by inhalation of polluted water vapour, which contains high amounts of the bacterium legionella. In addition to showers being a potential hazard, you need also be aware of the following:
Taps
Toilets
Washing areas
Water storage tanks
Humidifiers
Spa baths
A cough, shortness of breath, a fever, muscular pains, and headaches are all symptoms of the condition, which is comparable to pneumonia and lung infections.
An epidemic of legionnaires' disease at a hospital might have catastrophic consequences for the elderly and people with impaired immune systems. For this reason, hospital water quality monitoring is essential to maintain patient safety.
The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 mandates that all workplaces, including hospitals, control legionella. As a result, remaining compliant is critical.
How Do Hospitals Prevent Legionnaires' Disease
The best way to deal with the risk of legionella bacteria in water is to keep up with water testing. You shouldn't try to handle water safety on your own. The best way to stay safe and in compliance is to have a qualified risk assessor visit your site. They can accurately evaluate the safety and hygiene of your water systems.
At Assured Water, we can take a look at your water system, the quality of your water, and how it is treated. We look for legionella bacteria in the water and look at how the water is stored and used to make sure your water is safe and doesn't have legionella. Our team of legionella risk assessors can do regular checks with little help from you. All you have to do is get in touch.
Find out more about how to keep water safe and how hospitals deal with legionella. We will test and sample your water, so you don't have to worry about it. Contact us to find out how we can help you stay safe if you're looking for a highly experienced water treatment and legionella control company near you.
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