07 January 2015

GOTHENBURG,SWEDEN. SAHLGREN UNIV. HOSP ENT Prof. BJORN PETRUSON invented NOZOVENT (1990)

J.ACTA-OTOLARYNG. Vol 127 No 4 ,418-423 2007
IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVED NASAL BREATHING; A REVIEW OF THE NOZOVENT NOSTRIL DILATOR.

($7.FOR ONE: IN THREE SIZES).

06 January 2015

ROCHESTER MAYO CONFERENCE APRIL 23 & 24 on PHLEBOTOMY

Comment: in a College American Path. publication; 17% of blood has to be discarded because of poor collection technique. Ideally blood should be taken by a phlebotomist.. Important clinical trick is to be aware of raised Potassium through haemolysis-can mask lethal K. deficiency.)

Breakout Sessions
The following 6 breakout sessions will be offered during the conference. Please note that tours are available during breakout session times, so you will need to select one or the other to attend during the allotted times. You will have the opportunity to choose the sessions you would like to attend when you complete the online registration form.

The Stressful, the Combative and the Days You Wished You Would Have Just Stayed Home
In this session, we will discuss ways to deal with overall stressful patient situations. We will specifically identify ways for you to deal with stress before, during and after a stressful situation. We will also discuss what you should be doing for your own safety and when it’s time to get help.
Reducing Emergency Department Redraws
IV start blood collections are prone to increased rates of hemolysis and may contribute to an increased redraw rate in the emergency department (ED). In this session, we will address factors that contribute to hemolysis rates and redraws, discuss the pros and cons for eliminating the practice of IV start blood collections and explain best practice techniques used to minimize potential redraws.
Improving Pediatric Specimen Quality
During this breakout session, we will discuss the types of quality measures used in pediatric phlebotomy and how they are applied to improve specimen quality. Discussion will include the phlebotomist’s role to ensure quality prior, during and after sample collection.
Butterflies: Does Usage Match the Need?
It is well recognized that butterfly collection devices are more expensive and have a higher risk of specimen rejection (especially if used incorrectly), when compared to straight-needle devices. However, there are well recognized reasons when butterfly use is appropriate. This session investigates the use of butterfly collection devices in both outpatient and inpatient practices. Appropriate use, equipment cost analysis, and specimen rejection rates will be reviewed.
Overview of Physical Ergonomic and Cognitive Human Factors Issues in Phlebotomy Practice
The first part of this presentation will provide an overview of physical ergonomics, ergonomic risk factors and how they contribute to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Attention will be given to the specific ergonomic risk factors observed in both outpatient and inpatient phlebotomy practice. Recommendations will be provided to reduce the risk of these variables. The second portion of the presentation will focus on the cognitive human factors issues experienced by phlebotomists. Human factors is the study of our capabilities and limitations, what humans are good at and what they are bad at in terms of how we think, how we act, and what we use when we do things. It takes those principles and applies them to the design of tools, systems, tasks, jobs and environment in order to optimize safety, effectiveness and comfort for the human. The goal is to reduce the incidence of human errors in phlebotomy practice.
Capillary Lipid Screening: Challenges and Opportunities
This presentation will cover the basics of lipid testing and interpretation of results. Specimen collection techniques, such as capillary sampling, could be advantageous for adherence to universal pediatric lipid screening guidelines. However, implementation of capillary whole blood lipid testing protocols can complicate result interpretation.

02 January 2015

UK PRIVATE EYE 12 Dec. Comparative percentage of GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) spent on health

USA 16.9%
The Netherlands 11.7%\
France 11.61%
Denmark 10.98%
Canada 10.93%
UK 9.27%

23 December 2014

DAILY MAIL FAILURE of NHS

The deepening NHS crisis: Patients routinely wait 12 hours on trolleys, elderly 'bed blockers' kept in hospital for a year and overwhelmed GPs give TWO-minute consultations

Reports paint picture of system creaking at seams amid rising population
Elderly patients kept in hospital for up to a year after being declared fit
NHS medical director demands 'zero' tolerance over long trolley waits
Boris Johnson urges public to take taxi to A&E rather than dialling 999

By Sophie Borland Health Correspondent for the Daily Mail

Published: 00:01 GMT, 24 December 2014 | Updated: 01:47 GMT, 24 December 2014

Patients are facing a bleak end to the year as A&E units, GP surgeries and the ambulance service struggle to cope with unprecedented demand.

A string of reports yesterday painted a picture of a system creaking at the seams due to the rising population.

At one overcrowded inner city surgery, GPs are being forced to offer patients quickfire two-minute consultations just to ensure that they can be seen before Christmas.

Patients are facing a bleak end to the year as A&E units, GP surgeries and the ambulance service struggle to cope with unprecedented demand (file picture)

A leaked letter from NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh has revealed people are now routinely waiting more than 12 hours on trolleys even after doctors have decided they need a hospital bed.

And only yesterday the Daily Mail revealed patients were resorting to queuing up outside another GP practice in Surrey at dawn just to get an appointment.

Last night, as Labour said the NHS was in danger of being ‘overwhelmed’, it also emerged that:

■ Elderly patients – so-called bed blockers – are being kept in hospital for up to a year after being declared fit for discharge;

■ Sir Bruce has written to hospital managers demanding a ‘zero tolerance’ of long trolley waits;

■ London Mayor Boris Johnson has urged the public to take a taxi to A&E rather than dialling 999 to help ease the pressure on the ambulance service.

A&E units are facing unprecedented strain and last week recorded their worst waiting times on record. On Monday, Sir Bruce wrote to hospital managers warning of a ‘worrying increase’ in patients spending more than four hours on trolleys in casualty.

LEGIONELLA E-NEWS

1.Health Officials Blame Infant Death in Texas on Legionella from Birthing Pool
Six days after being born in a heated birthing pool at home, an infant was taken to the hospital becausing of breathing problems and symptoms of infection. The doctors suspected Legionnaires' disease because of the birthing pool and thus ordered tests for Legionella, which came back positive. After 19 days in the hospital, the baby died. The result of the investgation, concluding the birthing pool was the source of the Legionella infection, was reported earlier this month.

Legionnaires' disease associated with birthing tubs has been reported in other countries including Japan and the UK. This is the first reported case in the US.

2. Eight Legionnaires' Cases at a Retirement Home in Spain
Last month eight cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported among residents of a retirement home in the northwest region of Spain. All eight were hospitalized but no deaths were reported. Around the same time, at least three cases of Legionnaires' were reported at another nursing home about 21 kilometers away.

3. Two Rhode Island Hospital Patients Diagnosed with Legionella Infections
Two patients at Rhode Island Hospital were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease last month. Details about the number of days the case-patients had been in the hospital and their exposure to water were not reported. In response to the cases, the hospital provided bottled water for drinking and performed “superheating and flushing” of the plumbing system in at least one building.

4. Study Shows Increased Incidence of Legionnaires' Disease in New York City

A paper published by the CDC last month concluded that the incidence of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City increased 230% from 2002 to 2009 and that living in low income areas or having a job in transportation, repair, protective services, cleaning, or construction could be risk factors for community-acquired cases. The paper (Farnham A, Alleyne L, Cimini D, Balter S. 2014. Legionnaires’ Disease Incidence and Risk Factors, New York, New York, USA, 2002–2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases 20;11) is available at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/11/pdfs/13-1872.pdf.

22 December 2014

UK: LONDON HOSPITALS Public NHS & PRIVATE

List of Hospitals in London

Hospital Name	Telephone Number	Address
London Bridge Hospital Hospitals	020 7998 8103	27, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2PR
The Priory Hospital Roehampton Hospitals	0208 876 8261	Priory Lane, London, SW15 5JJ
114a Harley Street - Ramsay Health Care UK Hospitals	020 7034 1030	114a, Harley St, London, W1G 7EL
Parkside Hospital Hospitals	0208 971 8000	53, Parkside, London, SW19 5NX
The Blackheath Hospital Hospitals	020 3302 4360	40-42 Lee Terrace, Blackheath, London, SE3 9UD
The Priory Hospital North London Hospitals	0208 882 8191	Grovelands House, The Bourne, London, N14 6RA
City Medical Ltd Hospitals	0845 683 9073	17, St. Helen's Place, London, EC3A 6DG
Highgate Private Hospital Hospitals	020 8341 4182	17-19, View Road, London, N6 4DJ
London Independent Hospital Hospitals	020 3302 4376	1, Beaumont Square, London, E1 4NL
London Bridge Hospital Hospitals	0845 683 8859	31, Old Broad Street, London, E2 1NT
The Britsh Varicose Veins Centre Hospitals	0207 078 3822	60, Grove End Rd, London, NW8 9NH
FAWKHAM MANOR HOSPITAL Hospitals	01474 248160	Manor Lane, Fawkham, Longfield, Kent DA3 8ND
Chesfield Park Hospital Hospitals	01689 638077	Bucks Cross Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 7RG
Bromley Private Patient Unit Hospitals	01689 863739	C/O Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough Common, Orpington, BR6 8ND
St Anthony's Hospital Hospitals	020 3302 0000	London Road, North Cheam, Sutton, Surrey SM3 9DW
HOLLY HOUSE HOSPITAL Hospitals	020 8505 3311	High Rd, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5HX
The Priory Hospital Hayes Grove Hospitals	0208 462 7722	Prestons Rd, Hayes, Bromley, Kent BR2 7AS
Cygnet Hospital Harrow Hospitals	0208 9667000	London Road, Harrow, HA1 3JL
SLOANE HOSPITAL Hospitals	020 3302 4390	125, Albemarle Rd, Beckenham, Kent BR3 5HS
North Downs Hospital - Ramsay Health Care UK Hospitals	01883 348981	46, Tupwood Lane, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6DP
BMI The Runnymead Hospital Hospitals	01932 877800	Guildford Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, KT16 0RQ
Health Screen Plus Hospitals	01753 670166	147 Bath Road, Slough, SL1 3UX
The Harley Street Clinic Hospitals	020 7935 7700	35, Weymouth St, London, W1G 8BJ
South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals	020 3228 6000	Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ
Royal Free Hospital Hospitals	020 7794 0500	Pond St, London, NW3 2QG
Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust Hospitals	020 8333 3000	Lewisham High St, London, SE13 6LH
Willesden Centre for Health & Care Hospitals	020 8438 7000	Robson Avenue, London, NW10 3RY
London Bridge Hospital Hospitals	020 7407 3100	27, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2PR
Covenant Health Care Hospitals	020 7928 5633	Churchill London Clinic, 22, Barkham Terrace, London, SE1 7PW
Princess Grace Hospital Hospitals	020 7486 1234	42-52, Nottingham Place, London, W1U 5NY
West Hampstead Day Hospital Hospitals	020 8208 1612	85-87, Fordwych Rd, London, NW2 3TL
Camden Mews Day Hospital Hospitals	020 7530 4780	5, Camden Mews, London, NW1 9DB
St. George's Hospital Hospitals	020 8672 1255	Blackshaw Rd, Tooting, London, SW17 0QT
Barnes Hospital Hospitals	020 8878 4981	South Worple Way, London, SW14 8SU
Evelina Childrens Hospital Hospitals	020 7188 7188	Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7HR
The Royal Marsden Hospital Hospitals	020 7352 8171	203, Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London, SW3 6JJ
The Green Hospitals	020 8981 8050	1, Roger Dowley Court, Russia Lane, London, E2 9NJ
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust Hospitals	020 7405 9200	Great Ormond St, London, WC1N 3JH
The Portland Hospital For Women & Children Hospitals	020 7580 4400	209, Great Portland St, London, W1W 5AH
The London Clinic Hospitals	020 7935 4444	20, Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW
Sovereign Health plc Hospitals	020 8695 6051	84-86, Bromley Rd, London, SE6 2UR
Trustees Of The London Clinic Ltd Hospitals	020 7034 6000	20, Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6BW
St. Luke's Hospital for the Clergy Hospitals	020 7388 4954	14, Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6AH
Wandsworth Primary Health Trust Hospitals	020 8355 2533	Queen Marys University Hospital, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PN
The North London Clinic Hospitals	020 8956 1234	15, Church St, Edmonton, London, N9 9DY
The Walk-In Centre Hospitals	020 8846 1005	Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, London, W6 8RF
Lister Hospital Hospitals	020 7730 7733	Chelsea Bridge Rd, London, SW1W 8RH
National Deaf Services Hospitals	020 8675 2100	Old Church, 146a, Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9HW
Abbeydale Independent Hospital Hospitals	020 8509 4100	98, Bisterne Avenue, Walthamstow, London, E17 3QY
Eastman Dental Hospital Hospitals	020 7915 1000	256, Gray's Inn Rd, London, WC1X 8LD
The Heart Hospital Hospitals	020 7573 8888	16-18, Westmoreland St, London, W1G 8PH
The Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital Hospitals	020 7915 1300	330, Grays Inn Rd, London, WC1X 8DA
East Ham Memorial Hospital Hospitals	020 8586 5000	Shrewsbury Rd, Forest Gate, London, E7 8QR
Royal London Hospital The (Barts And The London Nhs Trust) Hospitals	020 7377 7000	Whitechapel Rd, London, E1 1BB
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals	020 8510 5555	Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR
Doctors Surgery Hospitals	020 7323 1555	7, Wimpole St, London, W1G 9RB
Camden & Islington Community Health Services N.H.S Trust Hospitals	020 7530 3700	Huntley Centre, Capper St, London, WC1E 6JA
The Priory Hospital Roehampton Hospitals	020 8876 8261	Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JJ
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Hospitals	020 8746 8000	369, Fulham Rd, London, SW10 9NH
Cygnet Clinic Beckton Hospitals	020 7511 2299	23, Tunnan Leys, Beckton, London, E6 6WT
Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital Hospitals	020 8383 1111	Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS
First Avenue Intermediate Care Service Hospitals	020 8271 1369	Francis House, 760-762, Barking Rd, London, E13 9PJ
Highgate Hospital Hospitals	020 8341 4182	17-19, View Rd, London, N6 4DJ
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Hospitals	020 8836 6692	xleas House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Rd, Woolwich, London, SE18 4QH
Camden & Islington Mental Health & Social Care Trust Hospitals	020 7530 3500	St. Pancras Hospital, 4, St. Pancras Way, London, NW1 0PE
Dr G Jackson (Consultant Cardiologist) Hospitals	020 7407 5887	London Bridge Hospital, Suite 301, Emblem House, 27, Tooley St, London, SE1 2PR
The Priory Hospital North London Hospitals	020 8882 8191	Grovelands House, The Bourne, Southgate, London, N14 6RA
South West London & St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust Hospitals	020 8682 6000	Springfield University Hospital, 61, Glenburnie Rd, London, SW17 7DJ
Western Eye Hospital Hospitals	020 7886 6666	171, Marylebone Rd, London, NW1 5YE
Urgent Care Centre Hospitals	020 7908 2144	Princess Grace Hospital, 42-52, Nottingham Place, London, W1U 5NY
St Bartholomew's Hospital (Barts And The London Nhs Trust) Hospitals	020 7377 7000	West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE
PHS Services Ltd Hospitals	020 7901 8500	120, Sloane St, London, SW1X 9BX
Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust Hospitals	020 8836 6000	Stadium Rd, London, SE18 4QH
Alpha Hospitals Ltd Hospitals	020 7630 6900	1, Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PN
Woodlands Healthcare Hospitals Ltd Hospitals	0845 1086937	Q M S House, 60, Trinity Rd, London, SW17 7RH
Cromwell Hospital Hospitals	020 7460 2000	162-174, Cromwell Rd, London, SW5 0TU
East Ham Day Hospital Hospitals	020 8586 5100	Shrewsbury Rd, London, E7 8QR
Park Royal Centre For Mental Health Hospitals	020 8453 2765	Acton Lane, London, NW10 7NR
Queen Marys,Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust Hospitals	020 7431 4111	23, East Heath Rd, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DU
North Middlesex Hospital Hospitals	020 8887 2000	Sterling Way, Edmonton, London, N18 1QX
Newham University Hospital NHS Trust Hospitals	020 7476 4000	Glen Rd, Plaistow, London, E13 8SL
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust Hospitals	020 7352 8121	Sydney St, London, SW3 6NP
Queen Anne Street Medical Centre Hospitals	020 7034 3301	18-22, Queen Anne St, London, W1G 8HU
Guy's Hospital Hospitals	020 7188 7188	Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT
The Queen Mary's Hospital Hospitals	020 8487 6000	Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PN
Aldgate Casualty Plus Hospitals	0845 6800559	within The City Of London Medical, 11-13, Crosswall, London, EC3N 2JY
The Huntercombe Hospital Roehampton Hospitals	020 8780 6155	Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JL
South London & Maudsley NHS Trust Hospitals	020 8243 2000	Greenvale Nursing Home, Voss Court, London, SW16 3BS
The Jefferiss Wing Hospitals	020 7886 6619	St. Marys Hospital, Praed St, London, W2 1NY
National Deaf Services Hospitals	020 8675 2200	Old Church, 146a, Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9HW
London Chest Hospital The (Barts And The London Nhs Trust) Hospitals	020 7377 7000	Bonner Rd, London, E2 9JX
UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals	0845 1555000	250, Euston Rd, London, NW1 2PQ
Hospital for Tropical Diseases Hospitals	0845 1555000	Mortimer Market, London, WC1E 6JD
London Female & Male Fertility Centre Hospitals	020 8347 5081	Highgate Private Hospital, 17-19, View Rd, London, N6 4DJ
Dr Oc Cockerell Md Frcp Hospitals	020 7377 7234	P.O Box 59, London, E1 1BB
Hornsey Central Hospital Hospitals	020 8219 1700	Park Rd, Crouch End, London, N8 8JL
London Acute Care Hospitals	020 7486 2211	5, Devonshire Place, London, W1G 6HL
Care UK Hospitals	020 7254 6937	Tariro House, 40-41, Newington Green, London, N16 9PR
Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital Hospitals	0845 1555000	60, Great Ormond St, London, WC1N 3HR
Uns Hospitals Ltd Hospitals	020 8961 7872	Central Middlesex, Acton Lane, London, NW10 7NR
Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals	020 3214 5700	Greater London House, Hampstead Rd, London, NW1 7QY
St. Clements Adult Mental Health Hospitals	020 7377 7984	St. Clements Hospital, Bow Rd, London, E3 4LL
Moorfields Eye Hospital Hospitals	020 7253 3411	162, City Rd, London, EC1V 2PD
The Blackheath Hospital Hospitals	020 8318 7722	40-42, Lee Terrace, London, SE3 9UD
BUPA Hospital Hospitals	020 7506 2000	Bupa House, 15-19, Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2BA
Clayponds Hospital Hospitals	020 8560 4011	Sterling Place, London, W5 4RN
Chiswick Lodge Hospital Hospitals	020 8746 5566	Netheravon Rd South, London, W4 2PZ
St. Ann's Hospital Hospitals	020 8442 6000	St. Ann's Rd, Tottenham, London, N15 3TH
Finchley Memorial Hospital Hospitals	020 8349 7500	Granville Rd, London, N12 0JE
Initial Hospital Services Hospitals	020 8672 8090	61, Glenburnie Rd, London, SW17 7DJ
The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust Hospitals	020 7272 3070	Magdala Avenue, London, N19 5NF
Camden Dialysis Unit Hospitals	020 7388 8665	Centro House, 20, Mandela St, London, NW1 0DU
University College Hospital Hospitals	0845 1555000	235, Euston Rd, London, NW1 2BU
London Womens Clinic Ltd Hospitals	020 7487 5050	113-115, Harley St, London, W1G 6AP
St. Thomas's Hospital Hospitals	020 7188 7188	Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7HR
E.A.D Manning FRCOG Hospitals	020 8810 9503	72, Corringway, Ealing, London, W5 3AD
The Wellington Hospital Hospitals	020 7586 5959	8a, Wellington Place, London, NW8 9LE
HCA International Hospitals	020 7908 3600	30, Devonshire St, London, W1G 6PU
The Haven Hospitals	020 7247 4787	Royal London Hospital, London, E1 5DG
St. Luke's Woodside Hospital Hospitals	020 8219 1800	Woodside Avenue, Muswell Hill, London, N10 3HU
Parkside Hospital Hospitals	020 8971 8000	53, Parkside, London, SW19 5NX
C Kyriakides Consultant Vascular Surgeon Hospitals	020 7702 7779	within London Independent Hospital, 1, Beaumont Square, London, E1 4NL
Heronwood & Galleon Unit Hospitals	020 8530 5665	Makepeace Rd, London, E11 1UU
St. Mary's NHS Trust Hospitals	020 7886 6666	Praed St, London, W2 1NY
Thorpe Coombe Hospital Hospitals	0844 6001200	714, Forest Rd, London, E17 3HP
A.D Cheesman FRCS Hospitals	020 7483 5084	Wellington Hospital, Wellington Place, London, NW8 9LE
Camden & Islington Mental Health & Social Care Trust Hospitals	020 7685 4510	The Grove Centre Mental Health Unit, 81, Fleet Rd, London, NW3 2QZ
National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery Hospitals	0845 1555000	Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG
King Edward VII's Hospital Sister Agnes Hospitals	020 7486 4411	10, Beaumont St, London, W1G 6AA
Hammersmith Hospital Hospitals	020 8383 1000	Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability Hospitals	020 8780 4500	West Hill, Putney, London, SW15 3SW
Spire Healthcare Ltd Hospitals	0800 1691777	120, Holborn, London, EC1N 2TD
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson & Obstetric Hospital Hospitals	0845 1555000	Huntley St, London, WC1E 6DH
The Nuffield Speech & Language Unit Hospitals	020 8997 8480	6, Castlebar Hill, Ealing, London, W5 1TD
St. Andrew's Hospital Hospitals	0207476 4000	Devas St, Bow, London, E3 3NS

11 December 2014

DAILY MAIL : TEXAS. BABY DIES FROM LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE CONTRACTED FROM HOME BIRTHING POOL.

Month-old baby dies from Legionnaires' disease after contracting it from heated home birthing pool - in what is the first ever case of its kind in the U.S.

The Texas baby died at less than one month old after contracting Legionnaires' disease from a heated home-birthing pool
First case in the US linked to a water birth - though there have been similar cases in the UK and France
Investigators tested the tub and water source and reviewed the midwifery center's disinfecting processes
Fears of a wider problem of waterborne pathogens as the popularity of water births spreads

By Oliver O'connell For Mailonline

A baby died of Legionnaires’ disease just weeks after being born at home in a heated birthing pool, according a study published this month.

The deadly form of pneumonia is caused by legionella bacteria which thrive in warm water in places such as hot tubs.

While the baby’s death is the first case in the U.S. linked to a water birth, similar cases have been recorded in the UK and France. There may have been more non-fatal cases that have not been reported.

The baby's death in January this year in Texas highlights the dangers of waterborne pathogens in water births at home.

With the popularity of water births increasing, expectant mothers need to be aware of the risks of waterborne pathogens such as Legionnaires' disease (stock image)

An investigation was carried out by the Texas Department of State Health Services in a new report published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.

Severe infections caused by legionella are not common, but they do hospitalize 8,000 to 18,000 Americans each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However infants have a particularly high risk of developing severe complications if they are infected, and that makes heated birthing pools a specific problem given the under-developed immune systems of newborns.

The Texas case outlined in the report, revealed the six-day old infant was rushed to a local pediatric hospital with breathing difficulties and other signs of infection, including sepsis.

Tests revealed the presence of legionella, suspected by doctors due to the baby’s exposure to heated water at birth. After 19 days in hospital, the baby died.

Legionnaires' disease is typically spread through poorly maintained water pipes or air conditioning systems.

Two weeks before the due-date, a licensed midwifery center had delivered a collapsible hot tub to the home and filled it with water from a private borehole well.

Commercially available water-purifying enzyme drops, that do not contain chlorine, were added to the water.

The well water had not recently been chemically treated, and circulated in the tub at approximately 98.6°F until two days before the birth at which point it was drained, re-filled with well water, and reheated.

The mother had had a healthy pregnancy and there were no complications at the midwife-assisted birth.

After delivery, the mother and baby moved to the home’s bathtub which had been filled with water from the same source.

Texas public health officials carried out tests on the hot tub and the well used to fill it, both of which came back negative, though the midwifery center had already cleaned, disinfected and stored the tub before it could be tested.

Investigators also reviewed the disinfecting process the center carries out.

Given potential inaccuracies in the testing process and because the tub had already been stored, researchers still believe that the baby was infected by water in the tub at birth.

‘Because Legionella is pretty ubiquitous in the environment, it's not a big stretch to imagine that it would be in the water system, and there were no other exposures that were identified,’ noted co-author of the report into legionella infections, Elyse Fritschel, an epidemiologist at Texas Department of State Health Services.

Legionnaires' disease was first identified at a 1976 meeting of the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when many delegates fell ill. The legionella bacterium was found to be breeding in the cooling tower the convention venue.

The warm water killer - the dangers of Legionnaires' disease

· Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever

· Named after a 1976 outbreak, when delegates at a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion fell ill

· The Bacteria are found naturally, usually in warm water

· Not transmitted from person to person

· Contracted by breathing in a mist or vapor that has been contaminated

· Keeping the bacteria out of water prevents infection

· Most people will develop pneumonia as the bacteria thrive in the lungs

· An estimated 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease each year in the U.S.

Researchers said that death of the Texas baby illustrates the wider risks of waterborne pathogens to babies born in water, as well as the need for more awareness of infections and standardized cleaning procedures.

There are fears of a wider problem of infant infection as the popularity of water births increases as mothers report the water helps with pain and stress relief.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen opted for a water birth in 2010 when she delivered her son.

Many other expectant mothers opt for water in the initial stages of labor, rather than at the delivery.

Neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend water births.

A recent joint report by the two organizations stated that there are no proven benefits to a water birth and there are heightened potential risks to the baby.