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Category Press Release
Publish Date 1/14/2016
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Hospital Exposure Risks to Legionella Highlighted in Tragic California Case
Introduction EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides environmental testing services and sampling supplies to identify sources of Legionella bacteria.

San Leandro, CA, January 14th, 2016

Last month, NBC News published a report about the death of a young boy from Northern California. According to the report, the child was born with a rare genetic disorder that required a bone marrow transplant. Tragically, just days after a successful operation, the young child died.  

The parents soon learned that their child did not die from the surgery or because of his genetic disorder, but rather due to contracting Legionnaires’ disease while recovering from surgery. He is believed to have been exposed to the bacteria that cause the condition after the hospital’s cleaning personnel violated the healthcare facility’s policy by turning on a shower.  

Legionella, a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, is found naturally in the environment and can also be present in manmade environments. It is usually found in water and Legionnaires' disease can occur when people breathe in small droplets of water that contain the bacteria. Past outbreaks have been associated with plumbing systems, cooling towers, hot tubs, hot water tanks and even decorative fountains.

“It is recommended that all public buildings and healthcare facilities follow the ASHRAE 188 Standard for preventing Legionellosis in buildings which was adopted in June, 2015. This recommends that building owners prepare a building water management plan to assess the potential exposure and health risk for Legionellosis. Validation of the plan should be confirmed by doing Legionella testing” says Diane Miskowski, MPH, National Legionella Program Manager at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “In California, EMSL has two laboratories that are CDC ELITE proficient for Legionella. These are San Leandro, CA and South Pasadena, CA.”  

To help prevent cases of Legionnaires’ disease, EMSL Analytical, Inc. offer Legionella testing services and sampling supplies. EMSL now offers a Legionella Pocket Guide to provide information about the bacteria and sampling techniques. To request a free copy of this guide, please click here.  

To learn more about Legionella and our testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or www.EMSL.com. For service questions, please contact EMSL’s Diane Miskowski, MPH, for expert information at 1-800-220-3675 extension 2528 or by emailing dmiskowski@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 
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