Frisius MC

Frisius MC, a renowned healthcare provider in the Netherlands, prioritizes the health and safety of its patients and staff. However, in 2017, they encountered a persistent problem: Legionella bacteria contaminated their tap water system. This posed a significant health risk, as Legionella can cause Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Traditional thermal management methods, which involve raising the water temperature to kill bacteria, proved ineffective in eliminating Legionella from the complex water infrastructure.

Frisius MC faced a twofold challenge. First, the presence of Legionella in the water system threatened the health of patients and staff. Legionnaires' disease can be particularly dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems, a group likely to be present in a hospital environment. Second, the ineffectiveness of traditional thermal management methods meant that the hospital needed a more sustainable and reliable solution for long-term bacterial control.

More about HW Bifipro®

Medical Center Leeuwarden and Tjongerschans Hospital in Heerenveen are set to merge. This formal decision was approved on May 6, 2024, by the supervisory board of Zorgpartners Friesland. Both hospitals will continue under a new name, Frisius MC, as of January 1, 2025.   

Effectively removing Legionella in a hospital

Frisius MC was looking for a solution that would effectively remove Legionella from their water system and ensure long-term patient safety. Ideally, this solution would be sustainable and reduce the reliance on high water temperatures, which can consume a lot of energy. 

To address these challenges, Frisius MC partnered with Holland Water, a leader in innovative water treatment solutions. Holland Water recommended the installation of the HW Bifipro® system. This advanced technology uses copper and silver ionisation, a safe and proven method that combats the growth of Legionella in the water system. The system releases controlled doses of copper and silver ions into the water, effectively eliminating Legionella bacteria without the need for excessive heat. 

Positive results

The implementation of the HW Bifipro® system at Frisius MC delivered demonstrably positive results. Within 6 months, the system successfully removed Legionella from the hospital's tap water system. This achievement significantly reduced the risk of legionella for patients and staff. 

Moreover, the HW Bifipro® system provided an unexpected benefit. The copper-silver ionisation process also effectively combats other harmful pathogens present in the water, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas spp. This additional layer of protection enhances the overall safety of the hospital's water system.

In addition to the direct benefits, the HW Bifipro® system offers the potential for future energy savings. Once the hospital has a legionella-free track record, they can lower the temperature of the hot water in the system. This temperature reduction would result in significant cost savings on energy consumption.

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