Abstract

MACIAS, Alejandro E. et al. Chlorination and bacterial contamination. Hospitals with troubled waters. Rev. invest. clín. [online]. 2006, vol.58, n.5, pp.470-474. ISSN 2564-8896.

Objective. To know the quality of the water from hospitals and the risks that poor chlorination implies. Methods. We analyzed 90 water specimens from 15 hospitals (9 from the private and 6 from the public sector). Specimens were obtained from three areas (hospitalization ward, operating room, and kitchen) in two visits. Results. By microbiologic analysis, we found 30 (33.3 %) contaminated specimens. By chemical analysis, we found only 49 (54.5 %) specimens with adequate chlorination (> 1 mg/L). Of the 30 contaminated specimens, only 7 (23.3%) had adequate chlorination. On the other hand, of the 60 specimens without contamination, 42 (79%) had adequate chlorination ( - 17.561, p < 0.001). The significant difference was sustained when the criterion for appropriate chlorination was established at > 0.5 mg/L. Conclusions. Hospitals require guidelines for water chlorination and testing to maintain it at > 0.5 mg/L in every point of use.

Keywords : Hospital infection; Water supply; Water microbiology.

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