DOI: 10.1086/501642. A Survey of Methods Used to Detect Nosocomial Legionellosis Among Participants in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System

A Survey of Methods Used to Detect Nosocomial Legionellosis Among Participants in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System

10.1086/501642

Crossref journal-article

Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (56)

Abstract

Objective:To help define the scope of nosocomial legionnaire's disease (LD) and to assess use of recommended diagnostic methods and transmission control practices.Methods:We surveyed 253 hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System. The anonymous survey included questions about episodes of nosocomial LD, environmental sampling practices, maintenance of hospital water systems, and diagnostic techniques.Results:Of 192 hospitals that responded, 29% reported at least one episode of nosocomial ID from 1990 through 1996, and 61% of these reported at least two episodes. Of 79 hospitals with transplant programs, 42% reported nosocomial LD, compared with 20% of hospitals without transplant programs. Environmental sampling had been conducted by 55% of hospitals, including 79% of those reporting nosocomial LD.Legionellawere isolated in 34% that sampled potable water and 19% that sampled cooling system reservoirs. Supplemental potable-water decontamination systems were installed in 20% of hospitals. Only 19% routinely performed testing for legionellosis among patients at high risk for nosocomial LD.Conclusions:Nosocomial LD is relatively common among NNIS hospitals, especially those performing organ transplants. Environmental sampling forLegionellais a common practice among NNIS hospitals, andLegionellaoften are isolated from sampled hospital cooling towers and hospital potable-water systems. Hospitals have responded to suspected nosocomial LD infection with a variety of water sampling and control strategies; some have not attempted to sample or decontaminate water systems despite identified transmission.

Bibliography

Fiore, A. E., Butler, J. C., Emori, T. G., & Gaynes, R. P. (1999). A Survey of Methods Used to Detect Nosocomial Legionellosis Among Participants in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 20(6), 412â416.

Authors 4

Anthony E. Fiore (first)
Jay C. Butler (additional)
T. Grace Emori (additional)
Robert P. Gaynes (additional)

References 23 Referenced 38

10.1093/clind/16.6.741
10.1001/jama.1978.03290020049022
{'key': 'S0195941700070442_ref010', 'first-page': '416', 'article-title': "Sustained transmission of nosocomial legionnaires' disease—Arizona and Ohio", 'volume': '46', 'year': '1997', 'journal-title': 'MMWR'} / MMWR / Sustained transmission of nosocomial legionnaires' disease—Arizona and Ohio (1997)
{'key': 'S0195941700070442_ref018', 'first-page': '167', 'volume-title': 'Legionella and Building Services', 'author': 'Brundrett', 'year': '1992'} / Legionella and Building Services by Brundrett (1992)
10.2307/30142016
10.2307/30142015
10.7326/0003-4819-90-4-611
10.1001/archinte.1997.00440360129015
10.2307/30142014
10.1056/NEJM199512143332408
10.1093/infdis/165.3.565
{'key': 'S0195941700070442_ref013', 'first-page': '74', 'article-title': 'Guideline for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia', 'volume': '46', 'year': '1997', 'journal-title': 'MMWR'} / MMWR / Guideline for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia (1997)
10.1016/S0196-6553(97)90066-3
10.1093/infdis/138.4.512
10.1128/AEM.55.12.3045-3050.1989 / Appl Environ Microbiol / Efficacy of copper and silver ions and reduced levels of free chlorine in inactivation of Legionella pneumophila by Landeen (1989)
10.7326/0003-4819-90-4-583
10.1093/infdis/169.4.919
{'key': 'S0195941700070442_ref012', 'volume-title': 'Approaches to prevention and control of Legionella infection in healthcare facilities', 'year': '1993'} / Approaches to prevention and control of Legionella infection in healthcare facilities (1993)
10.2307/30149747
10.1086/516283
{'key': 'S0195941700070442_ref014', 'first-page': '20', 'article-title': 'Impact of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System on the surveillance of nosocomial infections', 'volume': '18', 'author': 'Gaynes', 'year': '1997', 'journal-title': 'Infect Control Hospital Epidemiol'} / Infect Control Hospital Epidemiol / Impact of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System on the surveillance of nosocomial infections by Gaynes (1997)
10.1001/jama.1983.03330470024025
10.1001/archinte.1994.00420210049006

Dates

Type	When
Created	19 years, 7 months ago (Feb. 3, 2006, 2:29 p.m.)
Deposited	5 years, 4 months ago (April 12, 2020, 8:42 a.m.)
Indexed	4 months, 3 weeks ago (April 8, 2025, 10:41 p.m.)
Issued	26 years, 3 months ago (June 1, 1999)
Published	26 years, 3 months ago (June 1, 1999)
Published Online	10 years, 8 months ago (Jan. 2, 2015)
Published Print	26 years, 3 months ago (June 1, 1999)

Funders 0

None

BibTeX

@article{Fiore_1999, title={A Survey of Methods Used to Detect Nosocomial Legionellosis Among Participants in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System}, volume={20}, ISSN={1559-6834}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/501642}, DOI={10.1086/501642}, number={6}, journal={Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Fiore, Anthony E. and Butler, Jay C. and Emori, T. Grace and Gaynes, Robert P.}, year={1999}, month=jun, pages={412–416} }

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