Legionnaires' bug found in water at mental hospital
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Friday January 04 2008
Concerns were raised about showers at St Loman's Hospital in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, following the discovery of the bacteria, legionella, during water testing.
According to an internal hospital memo from last October -- seen by the Irish Independent -- a number of outlets, such as showers, sinks and toilets, at the mental health facility showed "higher than acceptable levels of colony forming organisms" associated with legionella.
Showers
The hospital yesterday insisted no patient had contracted Legionnaires' Disease.
Measures were undertaken at the hospital, including the suspension of the use of showers at certain in-patient units.
In this instance, staff were requested to wash patients where necessary by removing the shower heads and using the hose.
The hospital has said tests had shown that drinking water was not affected.
According to the memo, all bathroom and shower facilities in daily use at the hospital returned "normal readings".
The high readings of the bacteria were attributed to areas no longer occupied.
However, it is understood staff have been concerned at the speed at which the water issues are being dealt with.
One staff member said: "A lot of staff, including those in the kitchens and laundry who are using steam, are extremely concerned about it.
"Try to explain to an Alzeimher's patient to try not to drink out of a basin is next to impossible. It is not fair to them," one member said.
Yesterday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed legionella was identified in the water system at the facility in October last year.
A new water system was ordered and was being installed at the hospital this month, health bosses stated.
The shower heads were removed, and water tank disinfection and flushing was carried out to "minimise any risk to clients and staff", the HSE stated.
Legionnaires' Disease can prove particularly deadly for elderly patients or those with immune deficiencies.
Around 90 out of the 130 patients attending St Loman's Hospital are in the over-60 age group.
Until the completion of the measures and the receipt of satisfactory test results, the memo stated it was "considered prudent that the use of showers in in-patient units, excluding St Edna's and the admission units, be suspended".
It went on to say it was considered that no danger existed for people under 55 and who were in good health.
However, for other persons, particularly a number of patients in St Bridget's Block, which caters for female and male geriatric patients including several cases of Alzheimers, it was considered "prudent" to avoid showers.
However, Prof David Coleman of the Dublin Dental Hospital said legionella could cause disease in "totally healthy people" where sufficient levels of the bacteria are present.
"You can't make generalities, you can't say people under 55 won't get it," he said.
- Louise Hogan
