Iowa City VA fails to inform patients of Legionella problem

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System have found Legionella bacteria in a few sinks and water outlets over the past several years, but the system neglected to inform patients, according to The Des Moines Register.

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Hospital leaders said they have been able to control the problem and did not tell patients because they did not want to cause alarm, according to the report.

The hospital plans to spend $6.5 million to replace the plumbing in all patient care areas in the hospital, according to the report.

Ed Ruppenkamp, chief engineer of the Iowa City VA hospital, said the positive test results indicate just “trace amounts” of Legionella, and patients would be notified if there was a serious health risk, according to the report.

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