What method is suggested to minimize the risk of Legionella transmission in health care settings?

What method is suggested to minimize the risk of Legionella transmission in health care settings?

• A. Running water at high pressure
• B. Flushing stagnant lines frequently
• C. Installing water filters
• D. Keeping temperatures to a minimum

Answer: (B)

Flushing stagnant lines frequently is an effective method to minimize the risk of Legionella transmission in healthcare settings. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, which can be present in plumbing systems that are not regularly used. By flushing these lines, water is moved through the system, effectively reducing stagnation and helping to eliminate any bacterial growth that may have occurred. This practice ensures that water is regularly exchanged and that temperatures remain unfavorable for Legionella proliferation, which typically occurs in conditions where the water is warmer than 20°C (68°F) but less than 60°C (140°F). In contrast, while running water at high pressure may help in some situations, it does not specifically target the problem of stagnant water where Legionella might flourish. Installing water filters can be beneficial for certain contaminants, but simply filtering water does not address the presence of Legionella in stagnant lines. Lastly, keeping temperatures to a minimum typically exacerbates the problem since colder temperatures can support the survival of the bacteria but do not eliminate the stagnant water issue that allows for their growth. Therefore, frequent flushing of stagnant lines is a critical and direct approach to reducing the risk of Legionella bacteria in healthcare environments.

Flushing stagnant lines frequently is an effective method to minimize the risk of Legionella transmission in healthcare settings. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, which can be present in plumbing systems that are not regularly used. By flushing these lines, water is moved through the system, effectively reducing stagnation and helping to eliminate any bacterial growth that may have occurred. This practice ensures that water is regularly exchanged and that temperatures remain unfavorable for Legionella proliferation, which typically occurs in conditions where the water is warmer than 20°C (68°F) but less than 60°C (140°F).

In contrast, while running water at high pressure may help in some situations, it does not specifically target the problem of stagnant water where Legionella might flourish. Installing water filters can be beneficial for certain contaminants, but simply filtering water does not address the presence of Legionella in stagnant lines. Lastly, keeping temperatures to a minimum typically exacerbates the problem since colder temperatures can support the survival of the bacteria but do not eliminate the stagnant water issue that allows for their growth. Therefore, frequent flushing of stagnant lines is a critical and direct approach to reducing the risk of Legionella bacteria in healthcare environments.