In response to the growing concern about Legionnaires' disease, Salisbury VA Medical Center in North Carolina is taking extreme measures to keep veterans safe, according to an article on the WCNC website.
Patient rooms have faucets that turn on automatically every hour and run for three minutes at a time.
The plumbing change follows a VA directive. The directive's goal is to make sure water circulates, maintaining chlorine levels to keep away the bacteria that causes the infection.
The facility's prevention efforts aren't just focused on auto-run faucets. The facility also uses temperature controls. Plus, the facility's scenic indoor pond, once home to stagnant water, is now drained, replaced by televisions with a loop of water video and sound.
Healthcare Workers Need Better Workplaces
Protecting Patients Through Design and Compliance at Altru Health System
Novant Health's $1B Expansion Plans Approved
What Lies Ahead for Healthcare Facilities Managers
What's in the Future for Healthcare Restrooms?