[Legionella prevention in intensive care units].

Abstract

From time to time hospitals are in the focus of the local and national media because of cases of nosocomial Legionnaires' disease. In particular intensive care patients are a risk group because of their high amount of immunocompromised patients with an increased risk of developing a Legionellosis. Therefore it is an important aim to maintain an effective prevention system. Nevertheless in some hospitals legionella can be identified. Particularly in these hospitals a high level of attention is required to recognize cases of legionellosis and to take adequately steps to avoid outbreaks of legionellosis. The following article explains the recently published recommendations of the American hospital hygiene experts.