[Determination of the effective water temperature for the reduction of Legionella spp. contamination in health facilities]. / Determinazione del livello di temperatura dell'acqua calda efficace per l'abbattimento della contaminazione da Legionella spp. nelle strutture sanitarie.

In order to find the optimal value of the hot water temperature to be reached so that there is no Legionella spp. at the dispensing points, 920 samples of water at temperature between 54 and 60 Celsius degree were analyzed at the Lugo and Faenza hospitals (Ravenna). Thought the analysis of the linear trendline results indicate that the temperature required is close to 60 degrees but as it's difficult to maintain in old plants, a careful patient's risk assessment needs to be carried out and therefore install antibacterial membrane filters at the dispensers.

[Evaluation of chlorine dioxide concentrations needed to effectively control contamination by Legionella spp in hospital hot water distribution systems]. / La determinazione della concentrazione efficace di biossido di cloro (ClO2) per il controllo della contaminazione da Legionella spp nei circuiti dell'acqua calda sanitaria.

This aim of the study was to identify effective levels of ClO2 for control of Legionella spp. contamination in the hot water (45-55 °C.) distribution system of a 579-bed hospital in Ravenna (Italy). Overall, 663 hot water samples were collected from the hospital's sinks and shower taps and were analyzed. Trend line analysis, which describes the trend in the number of positive samples collected according to disinfectant concentration, shows that the lowest number of positive samples was achieved with concentrations of ClO2 between 0.22 and 0, 32 mg /l.