Says Disease Could Be Found in Medical Equipment
Also Asks Why It Took So Long to Notify the Medical Center
NEW YORK, NY — A nationally recognized Legionnaires’ disease attorney is calling on a New Jersey hospital to inspect its water systems again following the second death of a patient as a result of Legionnaires’ disease.
On December 24, officials at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson announced that a second patient has died from the disease. The first patient death was reported earlier this month.
On November 18, the State Health Department found Legionella bacteria in the medical center’s water system. St. Joseph’s wasn’t notified of the results until December 8. The hospital said that, upon learning of the infection in the water supply, they hired an environmental consultant, implemented remediation procedures and worked with the state Health Department on testing. The most recent test showed that the water system has been deemed to be safe.
Ronald J. Katter, the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer,” said the hospital needs to do more to keep their patients safe. “It shouldn’t take a tragic patient’s death for a hospital to make sure that its water systems are safe,” he said. “Although the hospital attempted to remedy the Legionella contamination, after the patient’s death, it looks like a case of too little, too late. Legionnaires’ disease can be prevented with proper water system maintenance.”
Katter added that medical equipment can be a breeding ground for Legionnaires’ disease. “This can be respiratory devices like nebulizers, CPAP/BiPAP machines, or humidifiers,” he said. “These devices can be infected if they are cleaned with contaminated tap water rather than sterile water.”
He also asked why it took the Health Department more than three weeks to notify the hospital. “I don’t understand why the Health Department found the disease in the hospital’s water system in November, but waited until December to tell them,” he said. “This delay is inexcusable. Those two lives may have been saved.”
Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is contracted when someone inhales water vapor containing Legionella. According to the CDC, most outbreaks are preventable with proper water-system maintenance and monitoring.
Katter, who has handled numerous high-profile Legionnaires’ cases, is calling for full transparency from the hospital and state officials to ensure no additional patients get sick.
If you have any questions about these Legionnaire’s disease cases, contact the “Legionnaires’ Lawyer” — Ronald Katter. Mr. Katter, at (212) 809-4293 or visit his contact page.
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About Katter Law Firm
For more than 10 years, The Katter Law Firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients who were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease in community-wide outbreaks, hospitals, hotels, and nursing homes.. Visit www.katterlaw.com for more information.
