Legionella (Legionella pneumophila) is a bacterial pathogen that, in humans, causes a rare and severe form of pneumonia. The infection is water-born – not air-born – and typically enters the lungs via aerosolized water.
In man-made environments, the pathogen can multiply in water sources susceptible to stagnation and contamination, such as central air conditioning systems, cooling towers, evaporative coolers, humidifiers, whirlpool spas, water heating systems, showers, ice machines, and misting systems.
The bacteria attack the immune response system by infecting white blood cells, destroying them, and multiplying. There is no preventive vaccine; treatment is via antibiotics. Hospital-acquired legionella pneumonia has a fatality rate of 28%, and can rise as high as 50% if treatment is delayed by misdiagnosis.
Our detailed water system survey, drawings and program development services are the foundation for a water management plan that will help identify and mitigate legionella and other threats to hospitals and healthcare facilities. Strict guidelines, including ASHRAE Standard 188 (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) and VHA Directive 1061 have established minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. And HydroCorp can help you meet them.