Legionella—Every Infection Preventionist's Dream—Or Is It?

Chafin, Kristine N.; Watts, Misty D.

doi:10.1097/cnq.0b013e3182048022

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The present study found 697 (78%) disease cases and 83 (74%) deaths were associated with Legionella, spp. [16,[18][19][20][21][22][23]25,26,[29][30][31][32][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]. Other opportunistic waterborne pathogens such as NTM and Sphingomonas, spp.…”

Section: Gap #4: Moving Beyond Legionellamentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Management for Construction: Evidence for Risk Characterization in Community and Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review

Scanlon

Gordon²,

McCoy³

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Construction activities are a known risk contributing to the growth and spread of waterborne pathogens in building water systems. The purpose of the study is to integrate evidence for categorizing construction activity risk factors contributing to waterborne disease in community and healthcare settings, establish severity of such risk factors and identify knowledge gaps. Using a systematic review, the inclusion criteria were: (1) studies with disease cases suspected to be associated with construction activities and waterborne pathogens, and (2) active construction work described in a community or healthcare setting. Each construction activity risk factor was correlated across all studies with the number of disease cases and deaths to establish risk severity. The eligibility review and quantitative synthesis yielded 31 studies for inclusion (community, n = 7 and healthcare, n = 24). From 1965 to 2016, a total of 894 disease cases inclusive of 112 deaths were associated with nine construction activity risk factors and waterborne pathogens. The present study findings support the need for building owners, water management teams and public health professionals to address construction activity risk factors and the analysis of current knowledge deficiencies within the scope of an ongoing water management program. The impact of construction activities on waterborne disease is preventable and should no longer be considered incidental nor accidental.

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Section: Gap #4: Moving Beyond Legionellamentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Management for Construction: Evidence for Risk Characterization in Community and Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review

Scanlon

Gordon²,

McCoy³

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Legionella creates biofilm within plumbing fixtures, hot water systems, HVAC cooling towers, condensers, humidifiers, fountains, shower heads, storage tanks and stagnant water. Legionella has been under reported; the fatality rate of Legionella pneumonia of hospital patients is as high as 40% [19] Testing piping following utility disruptions; before and after construction will identify risk and lines can be flushed and/or treated to prevent transmission to consumers. Care must be taken not only in areas of active construction but also in areas that have been closed during construction, and areas that share mechanical systems, domestic water systems, portable water and sanitary sewers.…”

Section: Hospital Acquired Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opening Pandora’s (Tool) Box: Health Care Construction and Associated Risk for Nosocomial Infection.

Clair¹,

Colatrella²

2013

IDDT

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There are approximately 5,700 hospitals in the United States, 3,000-4,000 that are antiquated or obsolescing. To meet increased service demands, remain financially viable; meet needs to upgrade aging infrastructure and incorporate medical and technology advancements, healthcare facilities are in a perpetual state of construction. Outbreaks of nosocomial infections have historically been documented in association with construction and renovation actives within health care facilities. For most healthy individuals, environmental exposures to etiological agents, results in no adverse effects but in immune-compromised patient, they are left susceptible to inadvertent exposures during construction to opportunistic bacteria, fungi and viruses. Evidence scientifically linking construction work and nosocomial infections as well as the efficacy and clinical relevance of infection control precautions is somewhat lacking but the empirical evidence and recommendations to support protective measures is steadily growing. Opening a "Pandora's Box" during construction can unleash unintended consequences therefore; it is imperative that a thorough, multidisciplinary approach towards an infection control plan is put clearly and firmly in place allowing health care construction projects to move forward with confidence that patient safety is the first specification.

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Legionella—Every Infection Preventionist's Dream—Or Is It?

Cited by 2 publications

References 30 publications

Water Management for Construction: Evidence for Risk Characterization in Community and Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review

Water Management for Construction: Evidence for Risk Characterization in Community and Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review

Opening Pandora’s (Tool) Box: Health Care Construction and Associated Risk for Nosocomial Infection.

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