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.