50,955 health care facilities - hospitals, rural health clinics, nursing homes, etc

A 500+ bed healthcare facility in the eastern United States represents 75 medical specialties and includes treatment centres for cancer, kidney transplants, heart and neurological disease and infertility. All inpatient and outpatient services are fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), a major hospital industry trade organisation.

The facility consistently had positive test results for Legionella bacteria at water faucets and showers throughout its large campus. With water consumption in excess of 63,000 litres per day, this presented a significant challenge. They were treating their extensive H2O system with traditional techniques including chlorination, super-heating, and copper/silver ions; none of these worked to their satisfaction. In spite of these aggressive treatments, they could not eliminate the positive Legionella readings.

A Halox distributor was servicing the cooling towers at this facility. They became aware of the Legionella problem and brought it to the attention of the facility's engineering staff. At this point Halox became involved. Halox, along with the water treater, conducted extensive training on both the efficacy of carbon dioxide (CIO2) on Legionella and other water-borne pathogens, and the CIO2 generation equipment itself.

The collaborative team, which included the hospital clinical staff, the water treater and Halox personnel, chose the Halox System 1000 as the CIO2 generating source. The facility was sized with two Halox System 1000 units with a third unit as backup. Each unit uses four cassettes to produce the required CIO2 to treat the >105,000 litre system. Two units operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week produce 1 kg of CIO2 per day. Following a comprehensive risk assessment and site preparation, the three units were commissioned. They were operated as part of an overall water hygiene program that included the elimination of dead legs and gathering data on high and low water use areas. For example, low use showers could be flushed often or taken out of service.

Within a very short period of time, there were measurable CIO2 residuals in the water distribution system. Over the next six months, Legionella positive results continued to decrease at an accelerating rate. Over the second six months, positive readings were nearly eliminated. By the end of 18 months, the entire campus experienced its first consistently Legionella -free test readings in more than 5 years. The healthcare facility's management is extremely pleased with the results. The key was a multi-function, comprehensive approach to the problem.

The cost to treat potable water using CIO2 vs chlorine is similar. However, the key factor in the case of Legionella is not cost savings, it is the health of the patients with which the hospital is charged. Cost and liability avoidance are secondary benefits. Chlorine just doesn't do the job - CIO2 does. With carbon dioxide, the patients' exposure to Legionella Pneumophila has been nearly eliminated.