Similar to all medical facilities, hospitals are subject to strict hygiene standards. These requirements and restrictions are aimed toward ensuring the health and well-being of all patients, facility employees, and visitors. They may include implementing rigorous cleaning schedules as well as integrating specialized equipment—e.g., HVAC systems—to reduce the risk of contaminants spreading from room to room and patient to patient. When employed properly, HVAC equipment can minimize the transmission of contaminant-laden air, which, if left unchecked, can infect those who come into contact with it. For this reason, high-performance HVAC units are often used in hospitals to prevent the ingress or egress of hazardous compounds.
Below we provide an overview of the importance of HVAC systems in hospital infection and contamination control applications.
An Introduction to Hospital Contamination and Infection Control
Medical facilities are regularly at the front lines of emergencies, and it’s crucial that they maintain the equipment necessary to react quickly in the case of novel infections. HVAC systems are a critical line of defense against the spread of contagious diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of having contamination control measures at the ready. Although the novel coronavirus is primarily transmitted through large droplets—such as those produced by coughs and sneezes—there is also evidence that it may be transmitted through fine airborne particles. In light of this information, hospitals nationwide have been forced to assess their contamination containment strategies to slow the spread. As former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb has pointed out, “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed serious gaps in our nation’s pandemic preparedness… [and it] will not be the last public-health emergency to threaten American society.” For this reason, it is essential to invest in the “scientific, public health, and medical infrastructure needed to prevent, detect, and respond to the next infectious disease threat”, which, for hospitals, includes HVAC systems.
The Importance of HVAC Systems in Hospital Infection Control
HVAC systems are designed and constructed to regulate airflow, allowing facilities to maintain the temperatures that are ideal for both human comfort and medical equipment functioning. In medical facilities, HVAC systems are also used to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. When used in such applications, they generally incorporate specialized components, such as:
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove airborne contaminants as small as .3 microns
- Built-in, wall-mounted heating and cooling units to optimize ceiling and floor space
- Static cooling systems to cool—but not circulate—the ambient air
- Multiplex air jet outlet systems to distribute air to specific areas of a room
Uses of HVAC Systems in Medical Environments
HVAC systems serve numerous functions in medical facilities, including, but not limited to, the regulation of airflow and temperature. Here are some common applications:
Cleanrooms
Cleanrooms provide an enclosed and controlled environment for medical operations. They are available in two main designs:
- Positive pressure cleanrooms are pressurized to higher levels than the surrounding rooms. If the room seal is broken, the pressure differential forces the internal air outward, preventing contaminants from entering. They are used for the protection of patients that are immunocompromised or otherwise vulnerable to infection.
- Negative pressure cleanrooms are designed to have lower pressure levels than the surrounding rooms. If the room seal is broken, the pressure differential forces external air inward, preventing contaminants from escaping. They are used to isolate patients with highly contagious diseases (e.g., COVID-19), so others are not infected.
Cleanroom Design and Construction Guidelines
Both positive pressure and negative pressure cleanrooms find application in hospitals. When designing and constructing either of them, it is important to meet the following guidelines:
- Create a positive or negative pressure environment, as needed
- Close out the room vents to guarantee the room is totally enclosed
- Install an HVAC heating/cooling system to ensure patients and medical practitioners are comfortable
- Add a MERV17 medical-grade HEPA filtration unit to remove dust and particulates
- Integrate a UV light unit to sterilize any remaining particles and inactivate bacteria and viruses
Sterile Storage Cabinets
Sterile storage cabinets are used to ensure the sterility of equipment rather than the safety of patients and staff members. These cost-effective cabinets maintain cleanroom conditions for sterilized equipment, but their portability allows them to be positioned conveniently wherever needed in the hospital. Sterile storage units do not just create a barrier between items and potential contaminants like dust, dirt, viruses, or bacteria. They regulate the temperature and humidity to prevent decay and increase the shelf life of stored goods.
Hospital Environmental Control Solutions From Air Innovations
For over three decades, Air Innovations has specialized in designing, testing, and manufacturing custom environmental control solutions for OEMs and non-OEMs. We offer a wide range of products designed for use in the healthcare industry, including these:
IsolationAir® System for Hospital Contamination Control
IsolationAir® unit is a portable contamination control system with built-in medical-grade HEPA filtration, UV sterilization, air conditioning, and ductwork. It can be moved throughout a facility to transform standard rooms into positive-pressure or negative-pressure isolation environments for patient care or containment purposes.
