Bacteria At Park Slope Hospital Has Patients Forbidden To Shower

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A bacteria outbreak in Brooklyn Methodist Hospital's water supply is forcing patients to use body wipes instead of showers and drink from dozens of plastic water bottles each week, even four months after it was first detected, patients told Patch this week.

The bacteria, known as legionella, was found in certain inpatient units at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital during routine water safety testing, hospital officials said back in December. The hospital put in "water restrictions" when it was first detected months ago, but it seems those restrictions haven't done much to clear up the issue.

Rebecca Lentjes, a patient at the hospital since Friday, told Patch this week that the hospital still isn't allowing patients to use running water in the sinks or showers.

"No brushing teeth, washing face, or showering — even handwashing is discouraged," said Lentjes, who has been staying at the hospital for inpatient migraine treatment. "It's frustrating because on Friday, once I finally got moved from the ER upstairs to a bed, all I wanted to do was wash up — but then I found out I wouldn't be able to."

Lentjes said the hospital staff are doing the best they can but also don't seem to have too many answers for patients. They've said that the water hasn't been on for months and likely won't be back this week or next week, she said.

Staff are instead giving patients body wipes to clean themselves. Lentjes also tried to wash her hair in the sink with water bottles, but found it too tricky with her IV still in, she added.

A spokesperson for the hospital told Patch that they have "taken steps to disinfect" the water, but did not respond to more specific questions about hygiene concerns or how long resolving the issue will take.

"The health and safety of our patients and staff is always our primary concern," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Consistent with our safety protocol, we have implemented ongoing water precautions."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, legionella can cause Pontiac Fever or Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia, to those who breathe in its mist or swallow infected water. Infections, though, are rare and treatable if they do occur, hospital officials said.

State health officials said they are still investigating two cases of legionellosis that may be linked to the hospital, one from November and another from December. They added that legionella cannot be spread person-to-person.

The water restrictions can be lifted once more testing is completed after "remediation of the water system," said Jill Montag, a spokesperson with the New York State Department of Health.

Lentjes said that had she known about the water restrictions before going to BMH she likely would have chosen another hospital. Even now, she is considering going home just for the comfort of taking a shower even though her chronic migraine has not gone away.

"Really my main concern aside from the obviously unsanitary conditions for the patients is how wasteful this is — I've only been here four days but I've already gone (through) dozens of plastic water bottles just on my own," she said.

She added that other patients, including her roommate at the hospital who had a tumor removed and can't walk, have it even worse.

"A lot of people don't have the option to try to get out like I can," she said. "They are stuck here for weeks being rehabilitated after major surgeries."