title: Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Pastormaster method for disinfection of legionella in a hospital water distribution system.
abstract: The Pastormaster method consists of heating the water of hospital distribution systems at a specific point to a sufficient temperature for a minimum amount of time to eradicate legionella. The object of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pastormaster method for legionella disinfection in a hospital environment. A two-phase procedure was performed: hydraulic optimization of the water supply circuit, and implementation of the Pastormaster method. Water samples were taken at 10 representative points in the hospital hot-water system and cultured microbiologically. Other physical and chemical measurements were also determined. Implementation of the Pastormaster method and correction of the deficiencies identified during a hydraulic system audit confirmed the absence of legionella in the hospital water distribution system. The combination of implementation of the Pastormaster method and conduction of a hydraulic audit designed to identify and remedy any possible problems in water circulation is effective in minimizing the risk of legionella contamination in hospital water distribution systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care, Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, Spain. efpeiro@sscc.osakidetza.net
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Peiró Callizo
authors.forename: J Darpón
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: J M Santos
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pombo
authors.forename: C Ezpeleta
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Baquedano
authors.forename: B Pérez
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Huerta
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004867:Equipment Design; D006361:Heating / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006750:Hospital Distribution Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007875:Legionella / Q000254:growth & development; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D008284:Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D008330:Management Audit; D012212:Rheology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D013030:Spain; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*