U.S. Water News Online
TOWSON, Md. -- Officials at St. Joseph Medical Center banned showers and distributed bottled water to patients recently after an inspection of the hospital's hot water system revealed the presence of the bacteria that can cause Legionnaire's disease.
The hospital, just north of Baltimore, began treating the hot water system after tests taken last week revealed elevated levels of legionella bacteria, said hospital spokeswoman Linda Harder. Results from the tests were received earlier this week.
"From what I've heard, they're following, if not exceeding, standard guidelines and practices," said David Blythe, medical epidemiologist for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
No patients currently at the hospital have contracted Legionnaire's disease, a potentially fatal respiratory illness. However, a patient who was recently released from St. Joseph has been confirmed as having legionella and is recovering at home.
It is not clear if that patient contracted the bacteria at St. Joseph, Harder said.
Legionella, a water-borne bacterium, can be inhaled when water is released into the air, through air conditioners, steam, or other means.
Earlier this month, a state health task force released recommendations to hospitals that included routinely testing water systems, giving doctors quick access to diagnostic tests, and setting up Legionnaire's response teams to deal with outbreaks.
The task force was appointed after several cases of the illness appeared in the Baltimore area last summer and four people died in Harford County.
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