A bacteria that causes a potentially serious type of pneumonia was found in some of the University of Washington Medical Center’s water supply.
Two people who received care in the cardiac unit died with contributing factors of Legionella bacteria; a Legionella infection can cause Legionaries’ Disease.
King County Public Health officials said Thursday they were investigating Legionnaires' disease to protect patient and staff safety, and to assure that patients with pneumonia get appropriate laboratory testing.
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One of the patients was discharged; the other died in the hospital, officials announced Friday. Public Health believes Legionella was a contributing factor in the patient’s death.
The UWMC held a news conference on Wednesday to discuss how they are working to minimize the risk to patients and staff.
>> Explained: What is Legionella?
During the conference, they announced another patient in their cardiac care unit died. This patient had pneumonia, and Legionella may have been a contributing factor.
Similarly to the first death, UWMC says exact cause of death has not yet been determined. The death happened on Aug. 27, but the connection with Legionella was made during an autopsy.
Officials say signs are posted in the hospital telling patients, families and guests not to use hallway fountains or other sources of hospital drinking water.
KCPH is working with UWMC with assessing the extent of the problem and help identify the source of the bacteria.
“We can’t predict if additional cases will be identified at UWMC, but it is possible because of exposures that happened at the hospital before the Legionella was identified and protective actions were put into place,” a KCPH staff member wrote on its blog. “However, for most people, the risk of Legionella is very low. All three patients who developed Legionnaire’s disease were at high risk for this infection.”