The patient was treated for the disease and discharged from the hospital to a rehab center where he died.
The 92-year-old’s case was “very complex” and although he died from chronic aspiration pneumonia, it is not possible to determine if it was linked to Legionnaires’ disease, said Barry-Eaton District Health Medical Director Daniel Woodall.
The hospital tested its water Dec. 12 after the November case was confirmed. The results came back positive for Legionella bacteria.
Another Pennock Hospital patient was treated for Legionnaires’ disease in September, Barry-Eaton District health department officials said in a press release obtained by MLive.com. Health officials discussed steps to eliminate the Legionella bacteria from the hospital’s water system.
The hospital is using alternative water sources and water filtration to protect patients from the bacteria, according to health department leaders.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Ebola cases surpass 580 in Congo; 356 dead
NIH hospital pipes held antibiotic-resistant bacteria linked to 3 patient deaths
CDC: 182 confirmed AFM cases in 2018 so far
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.