TY - JOUR
T1 - The hospital water supply as a source of nosocomial infections
T2 - A plea for action
AU - Anaissie, Elias J.
AU - Penzak, Scott R.
AU - Dignani, M. Cecilia
PY - 2002/7/8
Y1 - 2002/7/8
N2 - Background: Microbiologically contaminated drinking water is a cause of community-acquired infection, and guidelines for prevention of such infections have been established. Microbes in hospital water can also cause nosocomial infection, yet guidelines for preventing such infections do not exist. The purpose of this review is to assess the magnitude of the problem caused by waterborne nosocomial infections and to plea for immediate action for their prevention. Methods: We conducted a MEDLINE search of the literature published between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 2001. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Investigations in which microorganisms (other than Legionella species) caused waterborne nosocomial infections and public health agency recommendations for drinking water. Results: Forty-three outbreaks of waterborne nosocomial infections have been reported, and an estimated 1400 deaths occur each year in the United States as a result of waterborne nosocomial pneumonias caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone. Despite the availability of effective control measures, no clear guidelines exist for the prevention of these infections. By contrast, guidelines for the prevention of community-acquired waterborne infections are now routinely used. Hospitals caring for patients at high risk for infection do not enforce the standards of water quality recommended by US and United Kingdom public health agencies for the patients' community counterparts. Conclusion: Because of the seriousness of these nosocomial waterborne infections and the availability, low cost, and proven effectiveness of sterile water, we recommend that hospitalized patients at high risk for infection avoid exposure to hospital water and use sterile water instead.
AB - Background: Microbiologically contaminated drinking water is a cause of community-acquired infection, and guidelines for prevention of such infections have been established. Microbes in hospital water can also cause nosocomial infection, yet guidelines for preventing such infections do not exist. The purpose of this review is to assess the magnitude of the problem caused by waterborne nosocomial infections and to plea for immediate action for their prevention. Methods: We conducted a MEDLINE search of the literature published between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 2001. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Investigations in which microorganisms (other than Legionella species) caused waterborne nosocomial infections and public health agency recommendations for drinking water. Results: Forty-three outbreaks of waterborne nosocomial infections have been reported, and an estimated 1400 deaths occur each year in the United States as a result of waterborne nosocomial pneumonias caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone. Despite the availability of effective control measures, no clear guidelines exist for the prevention of these infections. By contrast, guidelines for the prevention of community-acquired waterborne infections are now routinely used. Hospitals caring for patients at high risk for infection do not enforce the standards of water quality recommended by US and United Kingdom public health agencies for the patients' community counterparts. Conclusion: Because of the seriousness of these nosocomial waterborne infections and the availability, low cost, and proven effectiveness of sterile water, we recommend that hospitalized patients at high risk for infection avoid exposure to hospital water and use sterile water instead.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037043239&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1001/archinte.162.13.1483
DO - 10.1001/archinte.162.13.1483
M3 - Article
C2 - 12090885
AN - SCOPUS:0037043239
SN - 0003-9926
VL - 162
SP - 1483
EP - 1492
JO - Archives of Internal Medicine
JF - Archives of Internal Medicine
IS - 13
ER -