Researchers discovered a bacterium contaminating various medical devices at the University of Washington read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/996-researchers-discovered-a-bacterium-contaminating-various-medical-devices-at-the-university-of-washington

The potentially deadly Legionella bacteria have been discovered contaminating various medical devices at the University of Washington (UW) Medical Center. The hospital announced that it was responding by cleaning the devices and treating its water system with chlorine.

Legionella bacteria are responsible for a form of pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease.

The Legionella bacteria occur naturally in low concentrations in fresh water, but can multiply dangerously in hot water. They can also inhabit man-made water features such as faucets, showers, hot tubs, fountains and water cooling towers.

Legionnaire's disease is contracted by people who breathe in droplets from contaminated water sources; it cannot pass from person to person.

Legionnaire's disease is one of the most common forms of hospital-acquired pneumonia, and hospitals are one of the main settings in which outbreaks tend to occur.

The UW Medical Center tested its facility for Legionella after two cases of Legionnaire's disease were reported at the hospital. Two further cases were eventually detected, but none have been conclusively linked to the contaminated devices.

The hospital found Legionella contamination in an ice machine, a sink and three medical devices that are used to control a patients' body temperature during heart surgery.

All the devices have been removed from service. The hospital announced that the manufacturer of the medical devices will come and internally clean all 12 of the devices at the hospital.

The researchers speculated that poorly maintained water systems are responsible for the growing problem.