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

Respecting EVS Workers: 19 Minutes Is Not Enough

The infection control problem is time, and it's up to facility managers, EVS directors and infection preventionists to address the problem.


Where are the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hotspots in Healthcare?

First-year findings from Boston Medical Center show medical waste generates a disproportionate amount of healthcare emissions.


Caravel Autism Health Opens Clinic in Lake Zurich, Illinois

The clinic features colorful, sensory-friendly spaces where children work one-on-one with therapists.


The Future of Healthcare Facility Construction Projects

Brian Cowperthwaite highlights the invisible work that impacts everyone who walks through a healthcare facility.


Ground Broken on Jupiter Medical Center's Second Hospital

The 53,000-square-foot hospital will include 29 inpatient beds, four operating rooms, 24-hour emergency services, a diagnostic laboratory and imaging services.


 
 


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.