Legionella and You

Angie Szumlinski
|
July 12, 2023
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Healthcare facilities provide care for residents at the highest risk for Legionnaires’ disease. Older people and those with risk factors such as being a current or former smoker, chronic disease, or a weakened immune system are at highest risk. Add to that, healthcare facilities have large, complex water systems that can promote Legionella (the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease) growth if not properly maintained.

Water management programs identify hazardous conditions and take steps to minimize the growth and spread of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in building water systems. Developing and maintaining a water management program is a multi-step process that requires continuous review. Seven key activities are routinely performed in a Legionella water management program:

  1. Establish a water management program team.
  2. Describe the building water systems using flow diagrams and a written description.
  3. Identify areas where Legionella could grow and spread.
  4. Decide where control measures should be applied and how to monitor them.
  5. Establish ways to intervene when control limits are not met.
  6. Make sure the program is running as designed and is effective.
  7. Document and communicate all activities to the QAPI committee.

What else can you do? Maintain water temperatures outside the ideal range for Legionella growth (77-113 degrees F), prevent water stagnation (check your ice machines), ensure adequate disinfection, and maintain plumbing, equipment, and fixtures to prevent sediment, scale, corrosion, and biofilm. Each facility is unique, be sure to know your state and local regulations and access the CDC toolkit and your HealthCap Resource and Education Center for additional guidance! Stay well and stay informed!

For more information:

Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities (CDC)

Guidelines for Preventing HealthCare Related Pneumonia (CDC)

Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce Legionella Growth & Spread in Buildings (CDC) 

Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease: A Training on Legionella Water Management Programs (PreventLD Training) (CDC)

Toolkit: Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce Legionella Growth and Spread in Buildings (CDC)

Legionella and You! (HealthCap Webinar)

Legionnaires’ Disease Fact Sheet (CDC)

Water Management Policy & Procedure (HealthCap)


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