Avoidable Waterborne Illnesses Costing US Healthcare Billions
Here we take a look at the impact of waterborne illnesses on US healthcare costs and consider whether there are lessons to be learned for the UK and other countries around the world.
Reducing Risks of Legionnaires Disease in US Hospitals
In June 2017, a memorandum was issued by the USA’s Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, and Survey and Certification Group (CMS), concerning the requirement to reduce the risk of legionella spreading through water systems in US hospitals and healthcare facilities (memo reference S&C 17-30).
Legionnaires Disease Outbreaks 2017
Several notable outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease occurred throughout 2017. Portugal, USA (New York and California), UAE and Spain were among the areas affected. The incident in Dubai, UAE was by far the most serious of these outbreaks.
New York State Enforce Cooling Tower Regulations to Control Legionella
Many safety regulations affecting all areas of society come into force because of events that demonstrate a lack of control and lead to a danger to public health. A case in point is the South Bronx, USA outbreak of legionellosis in 2015 – an outbreak that was found to have been caused by a cooling tower. These towers were not subjected to regulation prior to the outbreak, but in July 2016, the N
S&C 17-30 Medicare & Medicaid Legionella Memo
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently issued an S&C 17-30 Medicare/Medicaid Legionella Requirement memo regarding the control and prevention of Legionnaires’ disease in certified health facilities.
Creating a Water Management Program to Control Legionella
US regulators are increasingly spotlighting the risks posed by legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease following several high profile outbreaks there. As a result, many US based businesses will need to create a dedicated water management program to control the risks from legionella within their buildings in order to protect their workers and others from harm.
Can ASHRAE 188 Prevent Legionella?
If you work in the USA and have responsibility for a building or other facility that uses water, this recently updated water management standard will help you work out whether that building should have a water management program in place.
Legionnaires’ Disease Hits Palmanova
Public Health England (PHE) is reporting on an increase in people who have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection, following their return from the town of Palmanova in Majorca, Spain. This popular holiday resort is located around 20 minutes away from the nearest airport, offering great beaches and many local attractions.
Legionnaires Disease Link to Dubai Confirmed By ECDC
A recent spate of cases concerning patients throughout the EU presenting with Legionnaires’ disease has led to a link between these cases and recent travel to Dubai, UAE. While the number of cases presenting is still very small, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has highlighted the link in a recent epidemiological update issued on their website.
UK Hospitals Face Drug-Resistant Japanese Fungus
UK health officials have confirmed over 200 hospital patients throughout England have been infected with a Japanese fungus that has proven to be resistant to drugs. The fungus is known as Candida auris and was first identified in Japan. The fungus is referred to as a Japanese fungus because the first case was found in 2009 in a patient in Japan.