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Potential Sampling Sites for Legionella spp. in healthcare facilities
Potable water system
- incoming water main
- water softener
- holding tanks, cisterns
- water heater tanks (at the inflows and outflows)
Potable water outlets, especially those in or near patient rooms
- faucets or taps
- showers
Cooling tower, evaporative condenser
- makeup water ( e.g ., added to replace water lost because of evaporation, drift, leakage)
- basin ( i.e ., area under the tower for collection of cooled water)
- sump ( i.e ., section of basin from which cooled water returns to heat source)
- heat sources ( e.g ., chillers)
Humidifiers ( e.g ., nebulizers)
- bubblers for oxygen
- water used for respiratory therapy equipment
Other sources
- decorative fountains
- irrigation equipment
- fire sprinkler system (if recently used)
- whirlpools, spas
Source: Barbaree JM, Gorman GW, Martin, WT, Fields, BS, Morrill WE. Protocol for sampling environmental sites for legionellae. Appl Environ Microbiol 1987; 53:1454-8.