Resources
Shower filtration offers immediate and long-term protection from waterborne pathogens like Legionella.
Infection can also occur by aspiration of contaminated water or ice, particularly in susceptible hospital patients, and by exposure of babies during water births.
Because of the nature of water systems in health care settings, exposure to the water can place patients/residents at risk of infection from waterborne pathogens or risk of exposure to an outbreak. Moreover, many people being treated at healthcare centers, including long-term care facilities and hospitals, have conditions that put them at greater risk of getting sick and dying from these pathogens.
Shower filtration is one solution that can be immediately installed to provide a barrier of defense against waterborne pathogens before patients could be exposed Legionella, Pseudomonas, Non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) and other life-threatening bacteria.
Having a supply of the filters on hand should be part of the Contingency Response Plan if or when the water tests positive for high levels of Legionella, Pseudomonas, or other pathogens.
VHA Directive 1061 states “Point-of-use filters may be installed at specific outlets to prevent Legionella exposure to patients. This method may be of particular use in areas that treat high-risk patients.”
Even facilities with a secondary chemical water treatment system should consider shower and point-of-use filters as a proactive approach for protection in areas where the most vulnerable patients are designated in the facility. Chemical solutions are a common method in limiting pathogens from both cooling towers and plumbing systems and are designed to kill pathogens and penetrate biofilms. Despite this continuous treatment, biofilms often remain persistent within plumbing systems allowing pathogens to live and reproduce even after repeated treatments. Furthermore, chemical disinfectants may not reach dead legs or low water flow areas making them less effective at distant points in the plumbing system. To date, there has been no reported direct human-to-human transmission.
Key Resources
The resources listed here are intended to highlight: 1) Sources of exposure and factors affecting Legionella survival and growth; 2) Approaches to managing Legionella risks in buildings; and 3) Government Directives to Legionella outbreaks and the corrective actions required;
