The Indiana State Department of Health has reported today (12/08/2015) that the potentially deadly Legionella pneumonia bacteria has been detected in one of two water systems at a ManorCare Health Services skilled nursing facility in Anderson, Indiana (1345 N. Madison Ave.).
Tests of the 216-bed facility’s water systems were confirmed as positive in November. Although one of the largest skilled nursing facilities in the state of Indiana, the Anderson complex has consistently earned only a single star, out of 5, during annual (since 2009) health inspections reported by Medicare’s Star Ratings system.
Although the Director of Public Affairs for the Indiana State Board of Health, Jennifer O’Malley, acknowledges the positive tests, she will not confirm how many actual patients may have caught Legionnaires’ disease at the facility. According to media sources, she has cited “confidentiality laws” as prohibiting discussion “of specific numbers of illnesses when fewer than five are reported.”
Legionnaires’ Disease in Nursing Homes
Legionnaires’ disease, which primarily infects the elderly, smokers, or people with underlying medical conditions or suppressed immune systems, is particularly dangerous when it strikes within elder care residential and skilled nursing communities.
When Legionella infects patients within healthcare settings, the fatality rate can be as high as 50%. When this happens, the family may have a wrongful death claim, meaning the family can sue for money damages, including amounts for loss of companionship with the loved one.
Neither ManorCare Services nor the Indiana State Board of Health is currently revealing the number of people possibly infected by legionellosis at the Anderson facility.
Hospital-acquired Legionnaires’ disease cases are considered “definite” when blood tests prove positive for a patient who has spent 10 or more consecutive days at the facility. They are classified as “possible” if the tests are positive from 2 to 9 days after discharge. The follow-up investigation should focus on environmental sources for the contamination and that active surveillance for additional cases be undertaken.