“ - After we started using this solution, we have not experienced any growth of Legionella”
Knud Søndersted
Operations Manager, Rigshospitalet Glostrup
More and more Danes get infected with Legionella. But the infection can actually be prevented. Rigshospitalet Glostrup has tested a solution for flushing the pipes.
This is how Rigshospitalet Glostrup prevents Legionella The number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Denmark has been growing in recent years. The number of new infections rose by not less than 65% between 2016 and 2017 — from 170 to 278 patients. This increase comes in the context of a general rise in the number of case since 2012. THIS IS HOW THEY DO IT IN GLOSTRUP Knud Søndersted, Operations Manager of the Danish Headache Centre at Rigshospitalet Glostrup, is aware of the risk of development of Legionella in the hospital’s water pipes. Therefore, he regularly takes samples for Legionella. He has tested, in cooperation with consultant Claus Dennis from FM Mattsson Mora Group Denmark, a solution that flushes the pipework. “We have been testing for Legionella in different part of the pipework several times a year for many years now. To prevent the problem from arising, we have now opted for a solution, which has been implemented on a trial basis in the entire Headache Centre,” explains Knud Søndersted. AUTOMATED SOLUTION FLUSHES THE PIPES An automated technology with a built-in hygiene flushing function became part of the solution at the Danish Headache Centre. The system can be set to automatically flush the pipes for 30 to 180 seconds every 8, 12 or 24 hours — or at arbitrary times. The solution prevents stagnant water from ever remaining in the pipes for longer periods of time. This minimises the risk of development of Legionella. Knud Søndersted is satisfied — but also cautious. Being an experienced Operations Manager, he knows that the work on keeping Legionella away requires sustained effort. He also knows that the samples he takes are only snapshots — even if they are taken over a period of time, at different points and in representatively selected locations: “I cannot go as far as to say that we will never have Legionella here at the Headache Centre. But I can say that since we started using this solution, we have not experienced any growth of Legionella,” says he.
BACKGROUND Legionella is less hazardous for healthy people, but can be fatal for people who are frail. 22 out of 170 infected people died in 2016.
Hygienic flush
Smart, programmable function that prevents bacterial growth in the pipes by means of regular flushing with cold and hot water.
Antibactus
Reduces the risk of development of Legionella bacteria in the mixer.
“But they would much rather not deal with Legionella. No one would want to stand up and say that they have experienced problems with Legionella on their property.”