Sickened while at Mount Carmel Grove City?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has regained millions for clients harmed by Legionnaires’ disease. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires while at Mount Carmel Grove City, please call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.
The Mount Carmel Grove City hospital in Ohio is dealing with an unprecedented problem: At least seven patients have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since the suburban Columbus hospital opened April 28 – and one victim died Sunday.
Dr. Richard Streck, the chief clinical operations officer for the $361 million hospital, said in a statement that out of respect for the patient’s privacy and privacy laws, hospital officials cannot discuss specific information about the patient.
“For most people, the risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease is low; however, individuals with chronic, underlying medical conditions are at increased risk,” Streck’s statement read.
Mount Carmel Grove City:
Hospitalized there? Beware
The statement continued: “Currently, we’re working with county and state health officials to identify the source of the bacteria. We’ve taken several steps to protect our patients, staff and visitors, including implementing extensive water restrictions. We are running additional tests on water sources throughout Mount Carmel Grove City, and our entire water supply is undergoing supplemental disinfection. We’re confident that we can safely maintain full services of the hospital.”
ODH spokesperson Jose Rodriquez said it would not be unusual for other cases to be discovered. Medical facilities in the Columbus area have been sent an advisory to watch for signs of the disease and test for it, if necessary.
Additionally, it is advised that anyone who was hospitalized and developed a cough or is experiencing muscle aches, headaches, fever or shortness of breath should contact their primary physician. Anyone with questions can call (614) 265-8111.
The Mount Carmel Grove City hospital in suburban Columbus, Ohio, is dealing with an unprecedented problem: At least seven patients have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since it opened April 28 – and one victim has died.
Mount Carmel Grove City:
Officials ordered to act
After learning of the outbreak, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) ordered hospital officials to “take immediate action to contain a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.” The command by the ODH – which its news release called a “rare adjudication order” – ordered hospital officials to take the following steps:
- Flush all water lines and fixtures throughout the seven-floor, 210-bed hospital.
- Implement immediate remediation practices to disinfect all water lines and fixtures of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.
- Test and clean all ice machines.
- Ensure that the hospital’s two cooling towers are serviced and cleaned.
- Provide all test results to the ODH.
- Provide a water-management plan to the ODH.
“To protect patients, employees, and visitors, we have acted swiftly today after my team discovered a connection between seven confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in patients at Mount Carmel Grove City,” Dr. Amy Acton, OHD director, said in a news release. “Working in collaboration with Franklin County Public Health (FCPH), I issued an adjudication order to immediately reduce the risk of further infection. It is our understanding that hospital officials have begun implementing the steps outlined in the order.”
If hospital officials fail to implement the directives, Acton said she will order them to “cease accepting new patients.”
Mount Carmel Grove City:
One patient identified
Though the hospital won’t confirm specific patients, Cricket Miller said her grandmother Lillian Lyle is one of the victims of the outbreak.
Miller told the Columbus Dispatch that the 90-year-old Lyle – who goes by “Nanny” – had been showering on her own and dressing herself until about two weeks ago, after being a patient at Mount Carmel Grove City from May 18 to May 20. Last week, however, Lyle was having trouble breathing, and she was re-admitted for bilateral pneumonia on May 29.
On Friday, Miller said she was informed that Lyle had Legionnaires’ disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) followed up with family members on Monday. Miller said the CDC’s information was helpful, but the hospital’s actions were another matter.
“It was so nonchalant at first on the hospital’s part,” said Miller, 44. “It was almost, ‘Oh, by the way …’ ”
Mount Carmel Grove City:
Upset family members
It was on Monday that, from her bed at Mount Carmel Grove City, Lyle couldn’t put in her own dentures because she couldn’t find her mouth (confusion is a symptom of the disease, especially for older victims).
“My grandma is 90 and I took her to that hospital to get better,” Miller said. “Then something like this happens to her and it is someone else’s fault? I’m pissed.
“My Nanny means everything to me. I’m just trying to make sure she gets the best care possible. … How can this happen here at a new hospital? I want answers.”
Mount Carmel Grove City:
Legionnaires symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease generally develops two to 10 days after exposure to Legionella. The disease frequently begins with these symptoms:
- headaches
- muscle aches
- chills
- fever, which can be 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
In addition to confusion, symptoms can worsen to include:
- coughing, which can bring up mucus or blood
- shortness of breath (dyspea)
- chest pains (pleurisy, or pleuritic chest pain)
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; these occur in about one-third of cases).
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