Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay
Recent water testing results reveal the presence of the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease at Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital’s Siena Campus.
What does this mean? And why is this a more serious situation for a hospital?
Here’s what we know about the risk of Legionnaires’ disease at Dignity Health Hospital and what to do if you fall sick.
Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital’s Siena Campus has notified staff members and patients of potential risk of Legionnaires’ disease at the hospital.
Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital
Siena Campus
Located at: 3001 St. Rose Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89052
This notification came last month after water testing revealed elevated levels of Legionella bacteria. The pathogen responsible for the deadly illness, Legionnaires’ disease.
In a statement to local news KTNV, a representative expresses that the health and safety of hospital patients, staff, and visitors is a top priority.
“We have already taken measures to treat the water system and are working closely with the Southern Nevada Health District and the Nevada State Department of Health to swiftly address this issue.”
The hospital, with 326 beds, hundreds of staff, and countless visitors, has an untold number of exposures.
Legionnaires’ disease is an airborne illness. But how is it spread?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria suspended in aerosolized water droplets.
While this bacterium is naturally occurring in freshwater environments (lakes, streams, etc.), they can also grow in human-made water systems.
This is where the risk to human health begins.
Certain human-made water systems are better suited for growing and spreading harmful Legionella bacteria.
Anything that generates a mist or spray can spread the bacteria.
Things like:
Not all air conditioning systems are vulnerable. For example, car and home air-conditioning systems are not a risk for Legionella growth as they do not use water to cool the air. Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease involve hot tubs and cooling towers.
Even more rare, but possible, people may become infected by drinking water contaminated with Legionella bacteria if it accidentally reaches someone’s lungs after it is swallowed. This happens when water “goes down the wrong hole” or in cases of near drowning.
Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is NOT contagious.
Only in extremely rare circumstances has person-to-person transmission been reported.
Nearly all cases of Legionnaires’ disease link back to contaminated water systems.
Most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become sick. Certain groups, like those treated at Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital, are more susceptible to illness. These individuals are also more likely to experience more serious symptoms.
Those at higher risk include:
Legionnaires’ disease is an often underdiagnosed illness. This is because symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to other types of pneumonia illnesses. In fact, Legionnaires’ disease is often indistinguishable from regular pneumonia, even on a chest x-ray.
Specialized tests are required for an accurate diagnosis.
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
These symptoms usually begin around 2 to 14 days after exposure. However, in some cases, illness may take longer to present.
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms should be taken very seriously. For 1 in 10 individuals with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complication of their illness. In a health care setting like this, this risk elevates to 1 in 4.
Legionnaires’ disease can be treated with normal pneumonia treatments, however accurate diagnosis is key for recovery.
Specialized treatment protocols specifically for Legionella bacterial infections will aid in faster recovery and much better outcomes.
The hospital is offering free Legionnaires’ disease testing for those with symptoms of the illness. Reach out to the hospital for more details.
If you have been exposed to Legionnaires’ disease at Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital’s Seina Campus, you should monitor your symptoms.
Most people become sick around two weeks after exposure. But every person’s body is different. A good bet is to monitor your symptoms for at least a month if you have visited, were treated at, or work at the hospital.
If you begin to experience symptoms, prompt action is needed.
Not everyone experiences serious illness, but the risk for serious illness is high.
If you are experiencing Legionnaires’ disease symptoms, a test will confirm your illness. This test is necessary for appropriate treatment and to better understand your illness.
Legionnaires’ disease can be serious. Even life-threatening. If you have become sick with Legionnaires’ disease at Dignity Health hospital, your illness was completely preventable. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease can help answer questions you may have about how to proceed.
If you or a family member has visited or stayed at Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital and has been impacted by Legionnaires’ disease, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
Legionnaires’ disease is an easily preventable illness. Basic disinfection protocols prevent the buildup and spread of harmful Legionella bacteria. Lapses in these procedures leave patients, visitors, and staff vulnerable to breathing in contaminated water droplets.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully represented many families with cases just like yours. Their Legionnaires’ disease lawyer has won millions of dollars in Legionnaires’ disease cases throughout the country.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no-obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your situation to determine if you have a legal case.
Don’t wait. Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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