http://www.iowacity.va.gov/IOWACITY/features/VAMC_Water_Safety.asp

IOWA CITY - In light of recent public interest surrounding the water system at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, the Iowa City VA Health Care System has issued a public statement on the topic.

“The Iowa City VA Medical Center takes water safety very seriously, and maintains a higher standard of safety than most medical facilities – with more frequent testing and aggressive action taken to prevent contaminants from entering the medical center’s water system," Jon Pruett, a spokesman for the Iowa City VA HCS, said. "The water system at the Iowa City VA Medical Center is safe. The main water supply has never been compromised with Legionella and there have been no cases of Legionnaire’s Disease reported at the Iowa City VA Medical Center."

In May 2014, monthly testing found positive results for Legionella bacteria in small amounts and in isolated locations within the facility, however the bacteria was not found in the main water supply.

Citing routine testing and mitigation steps, infectious disease experts at the Iowa City VA Health Care System found there was virtually no risk to patients, visitors, or employees.

"On the contrary, test findings validated that the VA water safety plan is working, and mitigates threats before there is a problem," Pruett said. "Positive findings are a routine part of the water testing process."



Facts about bacteria found in Iowa City VA Medical Center water system
•Citing routine testing and mitigation steps, experts at the Iowa City VA Medical Center have found virtually no risk to patients, visitors, or employees.
•The Iowa City VA Health Care System tests for Legionella on a monthly basis - a higher standard than the quarterly requirement set by VA, and far more proactive than CDC suggestions to test only in cases of a disease outbreak.
•NO cases of Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia, have been reported at the Iowa City VA Medical Center.
•The main water system at the Iowa City VA Medical Center has NEVER been compromised with Legionella.
•Positive test results have been in low amounts and in isolated locations---an individual sink or shower, for example.
•In response to those areas where positive test results were found, the Iowa City VA Medical Center underwent the following actions: •Point-of-use filter installation on impacted shower heads and sinks; which prevents Legionella bacteria from getting through.
•Pipe and fixture replacements to increase water flow (including closing a patient room temporarily for upgrades).
•Water filtration system installation to flush and cleanse the entire water supply, despite only detecting small bacterial presences in isolated locations.

•Additionally, patient care areas with the highest susceptibility to infection operate on a separate water system; which is super-heated to eliminate contaminants then reduced in temperature using point-of-use anti-scald devices.
•Additional plumbing upgrades are planned, in the coming years, to further decrease the ability for Legionella to colonize (approximately $6.5 million in renovations).
•We will continue to routinely sample the water and take appropriate actions as required.



General facts about Legionella
•Legionella is a common environmental bacteria. It can be found in natural, freshwater environments, but it is generally present in insufficient numbers to cause disease. Potable (drinking) water systems, whirlpool spas, and cooling towers provide the two main conditions needed for Legionella colonization, heat and stasis (stagnant conditions). Therefore, these are common sources of water colonization.
•About 50 percent of the strains of Legionella bacteria are capable of causing Legionnaires’ disease.
•Most people with Legionnaires' disease will have pneumonia (lung infection) since the Legionella bacteria grow and thrive in the lungs.
•People get Legionnaires’ disease either when they breathe in mist or vapor containing Legionella bacteria or when a large enough amount of the bacteria is consumed. Legionella bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person.
•Detecting Legionella in water when at low levels and eliminating it at that point is the key to preventing infection. The goal of a testing and mitigation program is to prevent heavy colonization of a water supply that would pose a risk to individuals.
•Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill.
•More About Legionella can be found on the CDC website, the source the general information above: http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/fastfacts.html
- See more at: http://www.iowacity.va.gov/IOWACITY/features/VAMC_Water_Safety.asp#sthash.a8PeEWxZ.dpuf