Legionella was detected in the Specialist Hospital in Chorzów (Silesian Province). The bacteria were in sinks in the observation and infectious diseases ward and in the nurses’ station in the psychiatric ward. The hospital assured that it had taken appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
The bacteria was detected the previous day during a routine inspection in two sinks – in a room in the observation and infectious diseases ward and in the nurses’ station in the psychiatric ward.
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Legionella in the hospital in Chorzów. Statement
The hospital said in a statement that shower aerators and shower heads were immediately removed, the dosage of chlorine dioxide was increased, daily draining of water from each spout was planned, and shock disinfection of the hot water installation was to take place on Monday.
After shock disinfection, another inspection will be carried out by the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Chorzów.
“The exceedances of the parametric values (…) are most likely due to weather conditions (especially high temperature), which continuously increase the temperature of the hospital’s water installation, causing the exceedances of the parameters,” the hospital wrote in a statement.
“The exceedances of the parametric values (…) are most likely due to weather conditions (especially high temperature), which continuously increase the temperature of the hospital’s water installation, causing the exceedances of the parameters,” the hospital wrote in a statement.
Legionella pneumophilaShutterstock
Legionella. Symptoms
Legionella infection most often leads to minor respiratory infections. Some infected people may develop legionellosis, a severe form of infection that can lead to serious health consequences. It manifests itself through muscle and headache pain, fever, dry cough and breathing problems. It can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.
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