[Legionnaires' disease prevention protocol performance in public buildings]

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Public health policy
• Risk assessment

Context:

• Royal Decree 865/2003 and Decree 287/2002 establish hygienic-sanitary criteria for preventing and controlling Legionnaires' disease in Spain.
• Preventative-hygienic water facility maintenance is crucial for public health.
• A descriptive study was conducted in Málaga, Spain, to assess compliance and associated risks.

Purpose:

• To investigate the relationship between compliance with Spanish decrees on Legionnaires' disease prevention and the risk from inadequate water facility maintenance.
• To evaluate the extent of adherence to hygienic-sanitary criteria in public buildings.
• To identify building types with higher risks of non-compliance.

Summary:

• A study of 214 public buildings in Málaga found only 38% overall compliance with regulations for preventing Legionnaires' disease.
• Significant partial non-compliance risks were identified, particularly in secondary education institutions (85.7%) and irrigation systems (11.1%).
• Secondary education institutions posed the lowest risk, while four- and three-star hotels presented the highest risk due to non-compliance.

Impact:

• The findings highlight a substantial gap in the implementation of Legionnaires' disease prevention measures in public facilities.
• Results indicate a need for targeted interventions and improved oversight, especially in hospitality sectors like hotels.
• This research provides data for refining public health strategies and ensuring better adherence to water safety regulations.