Legionella E-news -- 22 September 2005
Legionella E-news, 22
September 2005
HC Information Resources Inc.
Matthew R. Freije, Editor
**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. Twelve Cases in London
2. Two Hospitals Cited by New York State Health Department
3. New York State Health Department Updates LD Guidelines
4. Sixth International Conference on Legionella, 16-20 October 2005
5. New Legionella Management Plans for Hospitals, Hotels, and Nursing
Homes
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1. TWELVE CASES IN LONDON
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Twelve cases of Legionnaires' disease were associated with south east
London in July and August 2005, six of which occurred between 27 and 30
August. All twelve were men, ranging from 31 to 73 years of age. None of
the cases has resulted in death. Interviews have indicated potential
links for groups of four or five of the cases, but investigators have
not found a common area where all twelve either live, work, or have
visited. Health officers have tested cooling towers, car washes, and
public fountains but have not identified a source of contamination.
Testing of the patients’ homes is underway. Source: Eurosurveillance
Weekly
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2. TWO HOSPITALS CITED BY NEW YORK STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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On 26 August, The New York State Health Department announced that it had
cited the New York Presbyterian Health Care System for violations
related to Legionnaires' disease at two of its hospitals. The outbreak
that occurred from March to May at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital
sickened seven patients, two of whom died. The Department found that
Columbia Presbyterian Hospital failed to effectively notify patients and
visitors of water restrictions and follow policies and protocols to help
detect, monitor and eradicate Legionella bacteria in the water system.
The New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Division, was also
cited for similar violations related to the monitoring of its water
system for Legionella. The full story is posted at http://www.health.state.ny.us/press/releases/2005/2005-08-26_presby_legionnaires.htm
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3. NEW YORK STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES LD GUIDELINES
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The new guidelines are posted at http://www.health.state.ny.us/press/releases/2005/2005-08-26_legionnaires/hospital_guidelines_legionella.pdf
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4. SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LEGIONELLA, 16-20 OCTOBER 2005
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The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. The details
are posted at http://www.legionellaconf.org.
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5. NEW LEGIONELLA MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR HOSPITALS, HOTELS, AND NURSING
HOMES
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HC Information Resources released three new Legionella publications in
September:
Legionella Management Plan for Hospitals, http://hcinfo.com/318info.htm
Legionella Management Plan for Nursing Homes and Senior Living
Facilities, http://hcinfo.com/319info.htm
Legionella Management Plan for Hotels, http://hcinfo.com/320info.htm
The publications are designed to protect building occupants from
Legionnaires' disease and reduce the owner’s legal risk. Based on
several guidelines and scientific papers, as well as the author’s
experience, the publications outline an overall risk reduction strategy
and the latest recommended preventive measures in a format that reads
like an in-house policy manual. Each of the management plans is
available in paper (softcover) or on a CD for US$149 plus shipping, or
can be downloaded at www.hcinfo.com for $119.
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THANK YOU!
Matt Freije
mf@hcinfo.com
--
HC Information Resources Inc.
Tel: 760-494-3063
Fax: 619-839-3166
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