Investigating Healthcare-associated Cases and Outbreaks

What to know

  • It's important to consider a patient’s exposure to healthcare settings when investigating the source of potential Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.
  • Healthcare facilities often have large, complex water systems and devices that produce aerosols.
  • They also serve patients who often have risk factors for Legionnaires' disease.
Illustration of a healthcare facility and a patient seeking care there.

Background

Healthcare facilities often have large, complex building water systems. They frequently undergo construction and plumbing changes.

In addition, they often have aerosol-producing devices like cooling towers and decorative fountains. Devices unique to healthcare facilities include:

  • Heater-cooler units
  • Hydrotherapy tubs
  • Ice machines
  • Respiratory therapy equipment

Healthcare facilities can also have other fixtures that may grow or spread Legionella (e.g., shower hoses).

Patients in these settings often have risk factors for Legionnaires' disease that include:

  • Advanced age
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Weakened immune systems