|
|  |
|
|
Brooklyn patient had Legionnaires
by JORDAN LITE, Daily News
Brooklyn patient had Legionnaires
|
|
BY JORDAN LITE
DAILY NEWS WRITER
|
A patient at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn contracted Legionnaires' disease, the hospital confirmed yesterday
The bacteria that causes the potentially fatal illness was found in parts of the hospital's hot water system after the patient tested positive for the disease in May, said spokesman Ron Najman.
The patient was treated and released, he said.
Jeffrey Hammond, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health, said the agency was "closely monitoring" the situation.
"The hospital is taking all appropriate action to ensure that infection control measures are being followed to prevent any further spread of illness," he said.
SUNY Downstate reported the infection earlier this month, according to Hammond. It has since flushed the hot water system and instructed immune-compromised patients not to take showers and to use only bottled or sterilized water to drink or for medical treatments.
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center was sanctioned last year after seven patients caught Legionnaires' disease from bacteria in that hospital's water and at least three died.
The hospital never told patients or most staff about the bacteria until after six patients were infected and one had died.
Cases of Legionnaires' disease in New York State have risen steadily. There were 73 cases reported last year, compared with six in 1995, state health statistics show.
| Pure Air Control Services 800-422-7873
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Request a FREE Copy of the Bioaerosol Guidelines
|
|
|
|
|
Your IEQ Hotline! Toll Free 800-422-7873
|
|
|
|
|
Free Subscription to The IEQ Review
|
|
|
|
|
