Ice maker, sinks linked to Legionnaires' outbreak

UW Medical Center Legionnaires' outbreak may be linked to two deaths

The source of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak was located in the Seattle-based University of Washington Medical Center, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control and Clinical Quality website.

The investigation found Legionella bacteria in an ice machine and two sinks in UW Medical Center's cardiac unit in its Cascade tower.

Patients, visitors and staff have been instructed to not use drinking fountains on the unit, and the hospital shipped in bottled water to use in the interim.

The water system could be off-limits for at least two weeks.

Read the article.

September 21, 2016

Topic Area: Infection Control

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