According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 76% of all reported Legionnaires' disease cases in 2015 occurred in a health care facility. This is just one reason why creating a well-developed management plan for all water systems is so critical. The CDC also reported that Legionella, the waterborne pathogen that causes Legionnaires' disease, is deadly for 25% of those who contract it in a health care facility, versus only 10% who contract it outside of health care. Infants, the elderly and those who are sick, recovering from surgeries or have a compromised immune system are especially vulnerable.
This year in September, NSF International and the National Environmental Health Association is hosting the second annual Legionella Conference to focus on these critical issues so professionals in various industries can help minimize Legionella in health care facilities.
Legionnaires' disease is a serious form of pneumonia, and because of the increased threat in health care settings, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now requires hospitals and health care facilities to have an effective water management plan to mitigate hazards. The many different locations and devices within a health care setting that provide optimal breeding grounds for Legionella bacteria can lead to challenges. These challenges were addressed by experts at the first Legionella Conference in 2018. However, more open dialogue needs to take place on how to manage risk from water systems while also achieving sustainability goals.
NSF International and the National Environmental Health Association will bring together professionals from a wide variety of industries, including health care, to discuss the growing concern of Legionella outbreaks within buildings at the Legionella Conference 2019 to be held September 11-13 in Los Angeles. The 2019 Legionella Conference theme, "Building Water Systems: The Sustainability and Public Health Nexus," centers on how we can help align water and energy sustainability and public health goals. Join the conversation on how we can work toward safer health care facilities.
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