Although there are certain positive aspects of water features in healthcare applications, the risks involved far outweigh them, as exemplified in the article. Soft music, artwork, and natural light are other options that do not pose an infection control problem.
The CDC
Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities, "Recommendations - Water (paragraph I-E), they state that water features not be put in patient care areas, and if they are in public areas, then a strict maintenance and disinfection program must be undertaken. APIC carries the same recommendation in their 2003 "
Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities." Please see the link below:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5210a1.htm Considering above, best advice is to steer clear of these features.
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Jeffrey O'Neill AIA
Senior Planner
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Philadelphia PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2012 22:48
From: Michael Mitscher
Subject: Link found between hostpial's water wall and Legionnaires' disease
Dan,
Very interesting article.
It sounds like they are discouraging the design of fountains, probably not a bad idea. But I am curious as to whether they could keep the fountains and their typical cleaning habits (or perhaps even better cleaning habits) and find a way to address it Mechanically, with more air changes per hour to help with air borne / bacteria issues.
I know that water fountains can be a very nice relaxing feature in healthcare environments, I hate to see them disappear because of a lack of design professionals efforts to find a solution to the problem. Assuming one can be found.
Definitely something to ponder as design professionals.
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Michael E. Mitscher, AIA, NCARB
Project Manager
The McKinney Partnership Architects, PC
3600 West Main
Suite 200
Norman, Oklahoma 73072
405.360.1400 p
405.364.8287 f
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