Healthcare Compliance Perspective:
An effective Compliance and Ethics Program requires a good faith effort to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
Since 2015, a Western Illinois veteran’s home has been plagued with Legionnaires’ disease-13 deaths and dozens more have become ill. Recently, three new cases have been confirmed through laboratory tests. Fortunately, these residents seem to be recovering. The legionella bacteria causes a serious form of pneumonia that is contracted by inhaling infected water vapor.
The state is taking steps to boost the home’s water disinfection process hoping to reduce exposure and prevent more cases. Additionally, to reduce aeration from water vapor which is how the disease is spread, the state is placing new water filters on sinks and residents are only allowed to take showers-no tub baths. Staff are monitoring residents by taking their temperatures every two hours when the residents are awake.
Teams from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been at the facility working to find the potential sources for the legionella bacteria along with performing environmental tests. Earlier, the CDC reported that it is unlikely that the bacteria can be “completely eliminated” from the veterans’ home. Families of 11 stricken veterans have filed a lawsuit against the state.
