PITTSBURGH — Two patients at Pittsburgh’s VA Medical Center tested positive for the same bacteria that killed six patients and sickened 22 others at the hospital in 2011 and 2012.
11 Investigates started pressing the VA for answers on Tuesday, after employees reached out anonymously, concerned about the bacteria, Legionella, detected in the water.
Now the VA admits two patients have tested positive for the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ Disease.
Employees sent pictures of portable handwashing stations and sinks in hospital bathrooms that read: “Do not use this water.” Employees tell 11 Investigates that water restrictions went into place last Friday.
A spokesperson for the VA tells 11 Investigates that, after two patients tested positive for Legionella, the hospital started treating, flushing and testing water lines out of an abundance of caution.
The Allegheny County Health Department says they have not been notified, and testing positive for Legionella does not necessarily mean someone has Legionnaires’ Disease.
The bacteria can grow in water pipes, and people who inhale water droplets containing these bacteria can contract Legionnaires’ Disease.
In 2011 and 2012, a Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak killed at least six Pittsburgh VA patients and sickened 22 others.
The following year, the VA’s Office of Inspector General released a report, which found the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh did not maintain water treatment systems, did not follow Legionella guidance by the VA or CDC and did not test all patients for Legionella who got pneumonia in the hospital.
The Inspector General says several recommendations were made to the VA and implemented following that deadly outbreak.
The Pittsburgh VA Medical Center says that, with the current Legionella cases, they’re now operating normally, and patient care was not interrupted.
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