Take the time for extra care in Legionella control

It is widely acknowledged that the healthcare sector – where patients by nature are at more risk of infection, is more susceptible than most to the dangers presented by Legionella bacteria. What may be less well known is that this risk is rising, as the number of healthcare-acquired cases of Legionnaires’ disease worldwide continues to increase. Greg Rankin, CEO at Legionella testing specialist, Hydrosense, explains how healthcare establishments can ‘go beyond compliance’ to better help protect the patients, residents, staff, and visitors, they serve. 

In recent years, the importance of prioritising Legionella control as part of a robust water management plan in hospitals and other healthcare settings has been regularly highlighted by announcements on, and press coverage of, outbreaks. Earlier this year, for example, the discovery of Legionella bacteria led to a delayed opening of a new £41 m healthcare facility, Worthing Integrated Health Centre, in West Sussex.¹ This follows myriad similar stories in recent years, with several hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country — including Lister Hospital, Stevenage, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, and Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, to name but a few — having reported Legionella bacteria detections, prompting urgent precautionary measures to protect patients and staff.

Worldwide, cases of hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease have been on the rise, with research showing that the potentially fatal bacterium is present in 12-85% of all hospital water systems too.² Another high-profile study found that 19% of cases are associated with long-term care facilities, and 15% with hospitals.³