Extra Surveillance is Necessary When Disease Strikes in Nursing Homes
By nursing-home-lawyer | June 5, 2007
Here’s a good example of a resposnsible nursing home working closely with state and county health officials to make certain that a single case of Legionnaires’ Disease doesn’t become a more serious health crisis.
The Record - Nursing home patient confirmed with Legionnaires Disease
“Locals should not panic, since this is not a contagious disease and it appears this is an isolated case,” said Kerri Battle, a spokesperson for the county. “We have taken all of the necessary precautions in dealing with this situation.”After receiving the confirmation that one of their residents had the pneumonia-like disease, the nursing home contacted the state’s Department of Health and the county Department of Health to further investigate the case. The nursing home has also tested all of its residents who had similar symptoms and all tests have come back negative, said Battle.
The local nursing home also tested areas throughout its facility and there appears to be “no immediate source for the disease,” said Battle.
The disease, which is not spread person to person, includes symptoms like a fever, cough and chills. Other occasional symptoms are headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. And possible disease complications include chest pains, kidney problems, and possible death.
“(On Friday,) a review of the clinical data was discussed with health officials from the state and county Health Departments,” stated a release from the county. “All of the information strongly indicates that this is an isolated case. Following standard protocol, the state Health Department has recommended that the nursing home conduct heightened surveillance and lab testing of any pneumonia cases.”
This extra surveillance will continue for the next six months, said county officials.
Legionnaires’ Disease is not uncommon in this state and county, officials said. The bacteria that causes the disease is widely distributed in natural, industrial, and recreational water sources throughout the environment.
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Topics: New York Nursing Homes |
