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Controlling Legionellain Hospital Water Systems: Experience With the Superheat-and-Flush Method and Copper-Silver Ionization
- Source :
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology; December 1998, Vol. 19 Issue: 12 p911-914, 4p
- Publication Year :
- 1998
-
Abstract
- AbstractObjective:To evaluate the effect of copper-silver ionization on Legionellacolonization and nosocomial legionnaires' disease and to compare the efficacy of metal ions versus the super-heat-and-flush method of disinfection.Design:Prospective determination over a 36-month period of copper and silver ion concentrations in the recirculating hot-water system, Legionellacolonization of the hospital water distribution system, and cases of nosocomial legionnaires' disease. Retrospective comparison of results with the previous 13 years, during which the superheat-and-flush method was used.Setting:The Pittsburgh Veterans' Affairs Health Care System (University Drive Division) acut-care hospital.Intervention:Three copper-silver ionization systems were installed on the hot-water distribution system in November 1994.Results:The average number of cases of legionnairesā disease per year and the percentage of distal sites positive for Legionella pneumophilafor the superheat-and-flush method versus the copper-silver ionization method was six cases with 15% positivity versus two cases with 4% positivity, respectively. The reduction in Legionellacolonization after copper-silver ionization was significant (P<.05) compared to the superheat and flush. Mean copper and silver ion concentrations (mg/L) were 0.29 and 0.054 from hot-water tanks, and 0.17 and 0.04 from distal outlets, respectively.Conclusions:We conclude that a properly maintained and monitored copper-silver ionization system was more effective than the superheat-and-flush method for reducing the recovery of Legionellafrom the hospital water distribution system.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0899823X and 15596834
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs39704799
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2307/30142016