identify ‘infection hotspots’. He said: “The data can then be fed into a predictive infection criticality model (PICM) to assess the intensity, and frequency of colonisation and hotspots. This allows FMs to manage the risks more proactively.”
The recently issued British and European technical standard BSEN15780:2011, gives inspection time intervals for hospital plant engineers to check their Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning plant. These inspections requirements cover the Air Filters, Air Handling Units, Terminal Units, Duct systems and Humidification plant where fitted.
This standard clearly shows that there is a need to regularly inspect these components in HVAC systems, and keep them clean to maintain high plant operating efficiency, as well as save energy. This is certainly the case with Low Energy Air Filters, where the regular monitoring of any drops in operating pressure can ensure that filters are changed at the best time, to minimise energy use and maintenance costs.
There is also a firm link drawn here in the CIBSE journal article between the airborne spread of MRSA and ventilation systems in hospitals, and presumably all other similar buildings as well. The figure of only 5% of HVAC systems in hospitals being properly inspected is also a cause for concern; one would hope that vulnerable patients in hospitals would be breathing air that has been properly filtered to remove any airborne MRSA bacteria. Another need is to prevent the build-up of deposits of airborne dust in ducts, which can provide an opportunity for MRSA to form breeding colonies.
There are of course a number of other types of bacteria that can be transported in a similar way and also pose serious health threats to patients and staff in hospitals.
What’s the next step? Camfil can ensure that, by making an inspection and recommendation, Low
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Energy Air Filters are supplied and fitted in the hospital HVAC systems. These filters will be effective in preventing exposure to the threat posed by airborne dust and bacteria. Clean indoor air quality is assured in the supply and recirculated air in the hospital building, so risk to patient health is reduced.
Occasionally, the AHU filter mountings may need reengineering due to heavy use or corrosion, to restore system integrity and stop bypass of unfiltered air. This is a service that can be offered by Camfil as a solution to restore system efficiency. Part of a package can include any coil or duct cleaning that could be required.
Camfil can send out engineers to make a no-cost survey of a hospital AHU filter system, to establish for each individual system how Low Energy Air Filters can be used along with additional measures to ensure that the required level of clean air quality is delivered using minimum energy. Additionally, we can provide training sessions for hospital engineers on using Low Energy Air Filters to maximise clean indoor air quality, energy reductions and cost savings.
For 50 years, we have been designing and manufacturing air filtration solutions for hospitals and health care facilities in all major world regions. Air filters offer excellent protection from the airborne maladies of health care institutions, as long as they are a component in an overall program of air quality control. The protection of hospital
employees is also a paramount concern; clinical staff are routinely subject to increased exposure to infected individuals.
Products include the flexible CamHOSP® operating theatre (OP) ceiling, which has been installed at a large number of hospitals, and incorporated in advanced OP solutions using the latest technology for the new challenges in surgery. In addition to complying with all relevant standards, Camfil’s solutions for hospitals and health care facilities are designed to be a profitable investment, helping to increase the service flexibility and versatility of operating rooms and maximise the use of facilities.
These systems are designed to meet the future needs of hospitals and health care facilities as they adopt new surgical specialities. Camfil solutions are recognised for their low energy-design, thanks to the use of high-efficiency fans, energy-efficient filtration and a reduced need for a fresh air supply through effective filtration of recirculated air. They also guarantee the performance of filtration systems and offer customers a complete package including service, technical support for projects, on-site installation and control according to hospital standards, and filter maintenance and change-outs.
www.camfil.co.uk
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