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School of Civil and Building Services Engineering Department of Building Services Engineering “An engineering approach to legionella control in Health care Facilities” By Paul Cleary. Table of contents. What is legionella How it affects people Legislation dealing with legionella Case studies
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School of Civil and Building Services EngineeringDepartment of Building Services Engineering“An engineering approach to legionella control in Health care Facilities”By Paul Cleary
Table of contents • What is legionella • How it affects people • Legislation dealing with legionella • Case studies • Lessons learned • The role of the Building Services Engineer
What is legionella ? • Human Hair: 10ˉ⁶ m • Legionella Bacteria: 10ˉ⁹m
Legionella related deaths • Spain-Costa Blanca-January 2012-2 deaths • Basildon Hospital-Essex- August 2011-1 death • Spain-Murcia-July 2001-6 deaths • Ireland-67 reported cases between 2001 and 2007 resulting in 5 deaths
Who is at risk ? • Older people –over age 40- • Males • People who smoke • People who drink to excess • People with suppressed immune systems. For example HIV sufferers or organ transplant recipients • People with underlying health problems such as diabetes, heart complaints and respiratory problems. • People with impaired choking reflex such as stroke sufferers
Legionella related legislation • The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 • The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work ( General Application ) Regulations 2007 • The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) - The Management of legionnaires’ disease in Ireland (Endorsing HSC Approved Code of Practice);
Case Studies St Patrick’s University Hospital Basildon University Hospital • I work there • Directly involved with legionella prevention programme • Access and permission to publish data-test results etc- • In a neighbouring Country so relevant to Ireland • Has suffered recent outbreaks of legionellosis • Has been fined for legionella related deaths in the past
Lessons learned • Independent risk assessment essential • Design and build of hot and cold water storage and supply systems critical • The role of chlorine dioxide • Regular independent water sample testing • Interaction with stakeholders