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AIHA Book Review
Legionellae Control in Health
Care Facilities: A Guide for Minimizing Risk
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal (58), May
1997, Book Reviews.
Reviewed by Edward L.
Tapley, CIH, CSP; Salt Lake City, Utah
This is a very specialized publication. However, that is not to say
it would not be a valuable resource to a large number of health professionals--specifically,
those involved in health and safety in a health care facility.
The introduction to the book does a good job of defining the audience:
"This publication is designed to help the reader
-
select risk reduction measures that make sense for your facility;
-
implement those measures immediately, efficiently, and economically
and
-
document the measures to show you took responsible action
in order to reduce the risks Legionnaires' disease poses to the health
care institution."
What follows in this concise publication are eight chapters on specific
issues in controlling this exposure. Thev are: Introduction to the topic,
Brief Facts About Legionella, Establishing the Action Plan for Your Institution,
Preventive Measures, Preparing to do Environmental Sampling, Collecting
Samples, Disinfecting, and Responding to an Outbreak.
The chapters are further divided into "bite-size' topics that are easy
to follow: Let's look at Chapter 4 as an example. This chapter is titled
Preventive Measures. It begins with domestic water systems and reviews
their design and new equipment to consider. It then moves into the subject
of regular operation and maintenance of these systems. I found this chapter
interesting because it seems that most articles on this topic involve cooling
towers and not water delivery systems. The chapter then covers cooling
towers and HVAC systems. An interesting point made in this chapter involves
issues with decorative fountains. The chapter ends with two very important
sections, the first is a short review of "What not to do: procedures that
are a waste of time and money" and a brief discussion of how to document
the preventive measures taken.
In general the other chapters are presented in a similar manner with
similar depth on the subject matter being addressed. The only chapter that
could have been longer and more in-depth was Responding to an Outbreak.
With this minor exception, the rest of the subjects were covered in the
depth promised in the introduction: "...the purpose of this book is not
to reprint all of the information available on the subject but rather to
simplify, complement, and supplement other sources."
Overall, I found the book to be an easy read with well-defined topic
areas. I would want to have a copy of this publication if I were involved
in health and safety at a health care facility.
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