Inquest into Legionella death finds hospital failed to keep water supply safe

Testing by Public Health England found the Royal United Hospital water supply ward was contaminated with Legionella


An inquest into a Legionella death found that the Royal United Hospital in Bath, England, failed to keep water supply safe, according to an article on the Bath Chronicle website.

After the death of a cancer patient from a water-borne illness, the hospital staff, Mr Gubb's staff discovered that the temperature of the water in a return hot water pipe was between 35C and 40C – a temperature at which Legionella can thrive – instead of the 50C it should have been at minimum.

Further investigation discovered that there was a broken pump in a separate water loop feeding the isolation part of a ward where particularly vulnerable patients stayed. The broken pump meant that the hot water was not being returned to the boiler regularly enough to stay hot enough.

Read the article.

 

 



February 12, 2016


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

The Hidden Risks of QAC Disinfectants in Healthcare Facilities

Quaternary ammonium compounds are a popular disinfectant choice, but they may be causing more harm than good. A review outlines the problems with QACs and offers a solution.


Sprinkler Compliance: Navigating Code Mandates, Renovation Triggers and Patient Safety

As CMS deadlines approach and renovation projects accelerate, healthcare facility managers must understand how NFPA 101, state fire codes and sprinkler design strategies intersect.


Baptist Health Acquires South Arkansas Regional Hospital

Now operating as Baptist Health Medical Center-El Dorado, the 151-bed facility is the 13th hospital in the Baptist Health system.


Wider View: Planning LED Upgrades Across a Healthcare Portfolio

Upgrade planning has to start with a systemwide, portfolio approach rather than a site-by-site mindset.


Cone Health Plans Hospital in Forsyth County of North Carolina

The 198,593 square-foot facility will be in southeast Forsyth County.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.