infection control
It’s in the air
The need for good air filtration in hospitals is essential for safety and wellbeing, with vulnerable patients more susceptible to airborne pathogens such as aspergillus. In this article we look at the challenge facing healthcare estates managers
H
ospitals rely heavily on infection control to ensure the health of patients, staff and visitors. And, as many contaminants are transferred though the respiratory system; air quality in hospitals is a key consideration when designing or upgrading facilities. Paul Gallagher, air cleaner product manager at Camfil, told hdm: “Understandably, infection control measures tend to concentrate on hygiene, particularly handwashing, environmental cleaning, intravenous line care and antibiotic control. “However, there is another, equally important, source of infection that can
be overlooked or underplayed – the air we breathe.”
Risk factors
Hospital air quality and ventilation play a decisive role in affecting air concentrations of pathogens such as fungal spores (Aspergillus) and other hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections, therefore they have a major impact on infection rates. “Essentially, airborne pathogens are transmitted in one of three ways”, explains Gallagher. “Fungal spores may be released into the air and make their way into the hospital environment.
“And micro-organisms can be transmitted directly from person to person in the form of droplets in the air produced by coughing or sneezing; while infectious diseases like tuberculosis are transmitted via lingering droplets that remain indefinitely suspended in the air and can be transported over long distances.” Sources of airborne pathogens include construction and renovation activities, ventilation system contamination and breakdown and vector-borne transmission via, for example, pigeon droppings or insect or rodent droppings. “Hospital patients are particularly
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