Florida Hospital Orlando flushing water system after positive Legionella test

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Hospital Orlando is flushing its water system after a test done by the Florida Department of Health came back positive for Legionella.

"We did identify Legionella in the water supply at Florida Hospital, and that prompted us to really take a real good look at that water supply to really make sure is safe and to deal with any issues that may need to be dealt with," said Dr. Vincent Hsu, Epidemiologist for Florida Hospital Orlando.

Florida Hospital Orlando officials tell News 6 late last year a critically ill patient tested positive for Legionella. Hospital officials said they cannot discuss the patient's condition, citing patient privacy laws.

After testing the hospital water, Hsu said the bacteria from the water did not match the strain from the patient. This confirmed that the hospital has not had any cases of hospital-acquired Legionella.
 
Florida Hospital Orlando also brought in Chicago-based water management and Legionella-testing firm Phigenics to test and flush the system. Dr. Bill McCoy, the chief technology officer with Phigenics said samples this week show the hospital water is safe to drink.

"After just a few days of exchanging the water in the building with fresh, chlorinated water, just after a few days the disinfectant level in the water is now adequate to control Legionella and other bacteria that are present in the tap water," said McCoy.

Even so, Hsu said they are taking extra precautions to protect patients with suppressed immune systems. He said Legionella is passed by breathing in water vapor, or in some cases drinking water. The hospital is prohibiting showers for some of the especially vulnerable patients as an extra clinical measure.

Florida Department of Health said this is an active investigation and they will issue a final report of findings later this year.