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At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Disinfection of water distribution systems for Legionella.

Hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease arises from the presence of Legionella in hospital water systems. Legionella not only persists in hot water tanks but is also found in the biofilm throughout the entire water distribution system. Conditions within water systems that promote Legionella colonization include water temperature, configuration and age of the hot water tank, physicochemical constituents of the water, plumbing materials, and commensal microflora. Hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease has been prevented by instituting control measures directed at the water distribution system. These include superheat-and-flush, copper/silver ionization, ultraviolet light, instantaneous heating systems, and hyperchlorination. Each of the above disinfection methods has been proven to be effective in the short-term, but long-term efficacy has been difficult due to limitations associated with each method. The complexities of Legionella disinfection, including advantages and disadvantages of each method, are reviewed. A successful Legionella prevention program requires cooperation and communication among hospital administrative personnel, engineers, and infection control staff. Routine environmental surveillance cultures for Legionella are the critical component for successful long-term disinfection. Culture results document the efficacy of the disinfection method and alert the hospital staff to consider Legionella in hospitalized patients with pneumonia.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2003

Improving risk management systematically.

The management of risk is an ever more prevalent issue amongst healthcare professionals due to key changes in recent years driving visibility and transparency. Medical gases constitute an important area of risk--the gases are used, administered and handled by many different people and the chief executive is ultimately responsible. Such risks can be managed down by a hospital according to the letter and spirit of HTM 2022, EN737 and NMSR. The biggest failing of the current system where hospitals take it upon themselves to ensure compliance, is that typically little training is actually performed, there is almost no monitoring, and often people on the front line are unaware of the risks that they are running. A systematic response to managing risk is the only way forward, and a key decision a hospital needs to make is whether to persist towards this goal itself, or to involve a technical and clinical supplier. BOC Medical is in a key position to be of value.

Gases↗
PubMed2006

[Superheat-and-flush effect on the control of hospital-acquired Legionella infection].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Superheat-and-flush is one of the methods of disinfection used against Legionella in hospital water distribution systems. An outbreak of nosocomial legionellosis (NL) was detected in the hospital Germans Trias i Pujol in January 1996. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of this disinfection technique at an environmental and clinical level. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Water samples were collected daily from central and tap water points 3 days prior to 15 days after superheating and flushing. Clinical surveillance of NL was performed 30 consecutive days following disinfection. RESULTS: After superheat-and-flush, the inoculum of Legionella pneumophila decreased in the central points but increased after day 11, achieving maximum values at 15 days. On the other hand, L. pneumophila was not detected in tap water points after 4 days but recolonization was observed after day 7, achieving 66% at day 9. No clinical cases of NL were detected during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Superheat-and-flush is an effective albeit transitory method of rapid disinfection in outbreaks of NL.

Cross Infection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computerized satellite delivery service: redefines central service and promotes nursing satisfaction.

Since its implementation in 1986, the Computerized Satellite Delivery Service at Saint Anthony's has contributed to improved efficiency in both the nursing and supply staffs. The system is easily modified, and has influenced other departments such as dietary to develop mechanisms to provide greater support to nursing service. Since the floor technician's role crosses many departmental boundaries, and this job function necessitates communication and facilitates interaction, thereby encouraging a team approach to health care. The implementation of programs which allow nursing staff to devote more time to patient care should be the basis on which any hospital service department operates. By providing a more efficient handling of support services, a closer working relationship between nursing and ancillary departments can be developed. Given the restrictions and limitations that surround many aspects of providing health care in today's society, it is inevitable that a "high tech", "high touch" approach to our efforts will prove not only financially viable, but will also support the basics for networking job satisfaction into the hospital environment.

Electronic Data Processing↗
PubMed2004

Excellence in supply chain management--trends and strategies to enhance profitability. Panel discussion.

Supply-chain management--the art of getting the most at the least cost from the products and services purchased by an organization--has transformed industries such as manufacturing and retailing, and can potentially do the same for healthcare. VHA is committed to keeping its members educated on current thinking and best practices in supply-chain management. In support of that mission, four supply chain experts gathered in Chicago recently at Modern Healthcare's offices to discuss the issues they face in their organizations and the strategies they've found most successful in addressing them.

Benchmarking↗