PRODUCT & SERVICE LINE REPORTS
In-duction time In-duct air purifiers, which are integrated right into the duc- twork of a hospital’s HVAC system, take another significant step in ensuring air purity.
Wladyslaw Kowalski is the Chief Scientist at Sanuvox, a company that specializes in in-duct and stand-alone UVC air purifiers and coil disinfection systems. According to Kowalski, “although hospitals commonly use UV technology to disinfect surfaces, they do not commonly use in-duct UV air disinfec- tion systems to clean the air. They traditionally rely on air filtration for air cleaning based on ASHRAE recommendations (ASHRAE 2003).2
– Hospital Water Americas, Prefiltration Product Manager – Medical Products for Pall Corporation, “filter technologies that remove bacteria from the water are not brand new, but have been widely adopted in the United States only over the last decade. “
Khoukaz reiterated that pleated mechanical air filtration is a key component to combat water and air-borne aerosolized waterborne pathogens within healthcare, and that it is critical to understand the filters rating and materials of construction to ensure they are applied correctly for their intended use. “Pall’s Point-of-Use Water Filters and range of sterilizing- grade process filters are validated to completely retain water- borne organisms at 0.2 microns. This means that water used for sterilization and for patient care can be considered extremely low risk for bacteria, fungi, and parasites. When these patho- gens are removed from the water used with patients, HAI’s from contaminated water are reduced, ultimately resulting in better patient outcomes, reduced patient stays, and overall lower healthcare costs.”
Sanuvox’s UV air disinfection system, BioWall However, UV air disinfection systems can be combined with
MERV filters to produce reductions of airborne pathogens that can match the removal rates of HEPA filters without the associated costs.”
Kowalski continued, “Sanuvox pays particular attention to the nature of every new outbreak and every new pathogen to determine the transmission mode and what type of UV technology would be appropriate and effective for reducing contamination and associated infections. Each microbe is evalu- ated for its ultraviolet susceptibility and whether it needs to be disinfected in air or on surfaces. Each application is considered in terms of what would be the best approach, air disinfection, surface disinfection, or both.”
Water quality
It is a primary responsibility of hospitals to take every step possible to address every possible source of infection. If hos- pitals’ water lines are not consistently and properly disinfected, and areas used for washing and rinsing are not maintained with the highest level of cleanliness, the potential for the spread of infectious agents is greatly increased.
For sterilization processes that involve water, the quality of sterilization is only as good as the quality of water used. Filters that remove bacteria and debris from the water system are essential to provide the cleanest water possible and ensure proper sterilization of equipment. According to Marissa Khoukaz, Business Development Manager
Water, water everywhere When thinking about waterborne pathogens, Legionella is the posterchild. However, there is increased awareness on other waterborne pathogens, as up to 33% of HAIs are from our water. David Pierre, Director of Water Management Programs with LiquiTech, spoke about his company’s multi-tiered approach to addressing the ever-present risks involved with water in our hospitals:
“LiquiTech provides healthcare facilities a multi-barrier approach to water safety. This allows the facility to control water quality from the building entry to the usage points. The approach incudes: • Point of entry filtration to remove sediment and nutrients for pathogens
• UV to kill incoming pathogens • Copper-silver ionization to attack biofilm/pathogens throughout the entire system
With the increased focus on water management, new tech-
nologies are emerging that not only address pathogen risk, but can be incorporated in a facility’s water management
LiquiTech POE fi lter
44 December 2022 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
hpnonline.com
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