Water Hygiene Audit and Legionella Control in Hospitals

Abstract

The multidisciplinary Legionella research has developed hand in hand with the level of science and technology, health care, and other scientific fields. The primary aim of this paper is to present our research focused on the theoretical and experimental analysis of building water distribution systems from the point of view of microbiological risk in hospitals in the Slovak Republic. To assess the potential public health impact of Legionella colonization in hot and cold water, a study was undertaken to identify and qualify the levels of the microorganism. The measures proved that thermal disinfection is not a systematic solution. By applying preventive measures, physical or chemical treatment and the use of risk management, we can obtain a secure system which eliminates costly solutions. The outputs of our goals will be transformed to the hygienic water audit scheme as a tool in the fight against Legionella contamination in the future.

Keywords

• hot water
• Legionella pneumophila
• thermal disinfection
• temperature
• water samples
• hospital