Rate of Legionella pneumophila colonization in hospital hot water network after time flow taps installation. Issue 1 (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Totaro, M.; Valentini, P.; Costa, A.L.; Giorgi, S.; Casini, B.; Baggiani, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 98:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Legionella -- Time flow taps -- Hospital water network -- Chlorine dioxide; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2017.08.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: In hospital water systems legionellae may be resistant to disinfectants in pipework, which is a problem particularly in areas where there is low flow or stagnation of water. We evaluated legionella colonization of a water network of an Italian hospital after time flow taps (TFTs) installation in proximity to dead legs. The water volume flushed was 64 L/day from May 2016, and 192 L/day from December 2016. Before TFTs installation, Legionella pneumophila sg2-14 was detected in all points (4 × 10 4 ± 3.1 × 10 4 cfu/L). All sites remained positive (2.9 × 10 4 ± 1.9 × 10 4 cfu/L) through November 2016. From December 2016 legionella persisted in one point only (2 × 10 2 to 6.8 × 10 3 cfu/L). TFTs with chemical disinfection may reduce legionella colonization associated with dead legs.