McLaren Flint (Mich.) hospital may not be effectively testing for Legionnaires' disease in its water supply, according to a letter from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
In the letter, the state notes that it reviewed records for Legionnaires' disease patients with a history of inpatient care at McLaren Flint over the last 16 months. It found irregularities in the performance of the hospital's secondary treatment systems and identified issues with how the facility monitors and tests for Legionnaires' disease.
"As of this letter, MDHHS cannot be assured that the hospital is actively minimizing the risk of [Legionnaires' disease] transmission," the state department said.
The state requested that the hospital provide a current version of its water management plan as well as data on various measures, including hot water generation temperature and Legionella distal site positivity. The state asked the hospital to provide the requested information by April 10.
The state's letter also implied that McLaren Flint had not been cooperating and collaborating effectively with the state health department.
McLaren Flint responded to the letter saying that it has shared information with the health department that "clearly indicates our water management program is effective and is very likely the most proactive and comprehensive program in the county, if not the state," an internal email from McLaren Flint President and CEO Chad M. Grant reads.
The hospital agreed to provide existing water management program data for February and March to the state department.
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