| Did You Know?
The Center for Disease Control
(CDC) has stressed the importance of evaluating medical facilities
for atmospheric contaminants in an effort to ensure the safety of
both healthcare workers and patients.
See Air Purifiers for
Hospitals and Medical Facilities
Like homes and commercial buildings, hospitals and
other medical facilities have also been built to be more air-tight
in order to conserve energy. Because of these energy-saving efforts,
air flow rate is decreased, causing an increase in airborne
contaminants and even virtual air stagnation. Poor air quality in
medical facilities not only affects medical staff, but it is also
detrimental to patients, especially in the postoperative setting
where contaminant-free air is absolutely critical.
Though central air purifying systems exist in most operating rooms,
unfortunately, patient rooms, waiting rooms, and the general
hospital environment is still highly susceptible to airborne
biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and
microorganisms. Even in operating rooms, debris such as paper fibers
from clothing can clog medical instruments and contaminate the air.
As well, drill aerosols, abrasion powder, and mercury vapors are
common pollutants released in the air during dental procedures.
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Poor air quality in
medical environments can foster virus infections such as staphylococci, which
can cause complications and prolong patient rehabilitation.
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From November 2002 to July 2003, Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was a major pandemic that affected
several Asian countries. This widespread respiratory disease
highlighted the vulnerability of modern healthcare facilities
against infectious diseases and infections.
Patient-to-healthcare work interactions and the close proximity of
infected patients greatly amplified transmission of this airborne
disease within hospitals.
The above referenced situation is just one example of how air
quality in medical environments is crucial, and medical-grade air
purifiers can both enhance air quality and reduce the amount of
harmful airborne pollutants that could cause infections and
complications. In the medical setting, hospital air purifiers using
HEPA technology are excellent because they filter out 99.97% of
particles larger than 0.3 microns and do not emit ozone, which,
after prolonged exposure, could be harmful to both patients and
staff. In fact, shortly after the September 11th attacks, the CDC
endorsed the use of HEPA filtration in post offices to address the
increased risk of Anthrax. In addition, the CDC also recommends
the simultaneous use of HEPA filtration, along with
Ultraviolet (UV) light, as the final defense of against these
diseases. Medical-grade purifiers utilizing UV light are also important in the
medical setting, as they possess enough energy to break molecular
bonds, causing genetic and cellular damage to microorganisms such as
viruses, bacteria, fungi, and germs.
Because the quality of indoor air impacts the health of both
patients and medical staff, hospital air purifiers can
supplement and improve on existing air purification systems in
the medical setting.
See
Medical Grade Air Purifiers
Return to the
Air Purifier Guide |
