title: [Water hygiene in hospitals].
abstract: As a general rule drinking water in hospitals does not represent a risk for the normal patient. However, for high-risk patients with compromised immune defense systems drinking water in hospitals may become a source of nosocomial infections. It may be contaminated with microorganisms that may have the potential to be infectious agents in the hospital environment. Of particular significance in such circumstances are the Gram-negative rods such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp. and Legionella bacteria. Accordingly, specific behavior patterns and measures in the handling of drinking water in hospitals are meaningful in order to reduce the risks of water-associated nosocomial infections.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivtherapie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Marburg.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerwat
authors.forename: Hinnerk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wulf
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D014873:Water Pollutants