Legionella and Pseudomonas Bacteria Persist in D.C. Hospital After Multiple System Flushes and Treatments
More than three weeks after legionella and pseudomonas bacteria were initially detected during routine testing on Sept. 18 and confirmed on Sept. 26, staff and patients remain without drinking water. The hospital has brought in thousands of gallons of bottled water for drinking, cooking, and bathing needed by its 273 patients and 700 employees. Fortunately, no patients or staff members have become ill as a result of the bacteria.
The psychiatric hospital is owned by the District of Columbia, and city officials announced early this month that contractors had been hired to resolve the problem. The plan to flush the hospital’s water system with chlorine was to be completed Oct. 11 and followed by testing for residual bacteria for two days afterward. However, a city official issued a statement Oct. 18 indicating the water system was still continuing to test positive for legionella.
The director of the city’s Department of Behavioral Health was asked by reporters why the public had not been made aware of the problem earlier. She responded, “I don’t know if there is a reason why. I know we were really just very, very involved in making sure that we got the problem solved.” She went on to explain that how or why the water supply was affected was not known, and it was also not known how long it be before the problem would be resolved. She said she thought it would be a matter of days, not weeks.
Legionella bacteria can cause a deadly form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires disease. While most people recover from the illness, it is especially risky for older people who have compromised immune systems.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to maintain a water system that is free from legionella, pseudomonas, or other water borne bacteria which can place patients/residents with compromised immune systems at serious risk for deadly forms of pneumonia or other illnesses may be considered a failure to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment, and might be deemed provision of substandard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures regarding the maintenance and ongoing, effective design and testing of the facility’s water system to prevent any development of harmful bacteria.
- Train staff on the importance of performing regular maintenance and thoroughly testing the facility’s water system for the presence of harmful bacteria.
- Periodically audit maintenance records to ensure that regular maintenance is occurring along with thorough testing for harmful bacteria.
