The dangers of legionella in hospitals

Most older hospitals have to manage the legionella risk by keeping the concentration of the bacteria as low as possible. It is an accepted fact that many water systems within hospitals can never be ‘legionella free’ due to their complex water systems, age and regular refurbishments.

Many hospitals cannot rely on temperature control to manage legionella and utilise other technologies such as chlorine dioxide.

Hospitals have the most susceptible ‘at risk’ people as patients, so undertake as many as 100 legionella tests every week to monitor the water quality amongst their 1000’s of taps, showers and sluices.

New NHS guidance requires augmented care units to undergo Pseudomonas aeruginosa screenings.