{"id":10968,"date":"2020-05-28T03:31:59","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T03:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kele.com\/content\/?p=10968"},"modified":"2025-02-03T10:05:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T16:05:26","slug":"healthcare-hvac-systems-and-disease-mitigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kele.com\/content\/blog\/healthcare-hvac-systems-and-disease-mitigation","title":{"rendered":"Healthcare HVAC Systems and Disease Mitigation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Isolation Room Preparedness for COVID-19 Patients<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to the\u00a0CDC\u00a0and\u00a0ASHRAE, hospital HVAC systems play a critical role in mitigating the spread of diseases like COVID-19, MERS, SARS, and tuberculosis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, respiratory droplets can travel through the air and be inhaled by people nearby.\u00a0 Room pressurization, air change rates, humidity, and temperature all play an integral role in mitigating airborne contaminants to provide a healing space for patients while protecting healthcare providers.<\/p>\n

It is recommended by the\u00a0ANSI\/ASHRAE\/ASHE Standard 170-2017\u00a0\u00a0and the\u00a0CDC\u00a0to place patients with a suspected or known COVID-19 diagnosis in an airborne isolation infection room (AIIR). AIIRs are negative pressure single-patient rooms with a minimum of 6 air changes per hour (12 are recommended for new construction).<\/p>\n

AIIRs constantly provide clean air to patients and help protect staff from infection. AIIRs contain, dilute, and exhaust contaminated air through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and then vent it outdoors.<\/p>\n

The negative pressure prevents contaminated droplets from traveling to other areas of the hospital when the doors are opened. Room doors should be kept closed except when personnel are entering and exiting. Entry and exits should be minimized as air currents from personnel traffic can disrupt proper airflow, so AIIR HVAC equipment must be\u00a0fast-acting, adjusting immediately to changing conditions. Facilities should monitor and document AIIR negative pressure function, and there should be a constant visual indication from the\u00a0room pressure controller or monitor.<\/p>\n

Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) Checklist<\/h3>\n

Utilize this checklist to help ensure your AIIRs are ready to receive patients with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). For more details, refer to the\u00a0ANSI\/ASHRAE\/ASHE Standard 170-2017 Ventilation of Health Care Facilities.<\/p>\n