People can suffer and even die if they are exposed to diseases they did not have when they were admitted to hospital.
Over the years we have become aware of the problems caused by Legionnaire's disease and more recently the so-called MRSA Superbug in hospitals. It means that healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, have to pay particular attention to indoor air systems such as ventilation ducts in both wards and laundries.
Patients with pre-existing health problems, the frail elderly, people with cancer who are going through treatment, and those who may have depressed immune systems are likely to be among the most susceptible to such airborne infections. Hospitals also have special units that need particular attention to indoor air quality such as bone marrow units, neonatal intensive care units, and burn units.
But it's not only patients who are vulnerable. Hospital staff are more exposed to all kinds of illnesses and infections as part of their daily work and protecting their health is important to ensure they can perform their medical and nursing duties effectively and at maximum efficiency. Disease causing organisms can enter the building on air supply, feed on moisture produce, breed in reservoirs installed.
Legionnaire's disease, for example, got its name an incident in Philadelphia, USA, in 1976 where 34 members of the American Legion attending a convention, died of a previously unnamed pneumonia. Investigation found that the bacterium was distributed by the air-conditioning system. Biological contaminants such as bacteria, mould, and viruses can breed in stagnant water that has gradually accumulated in ducts, humidifiers and drain pans of the ventilation system.
It can be a particular problem in older buildings and all parts of the humidification and dehumidification systems must be kept clean and dry to prevent growth of bacteria and fungi.
If not microorganisms can become airborne and infect patients who have suppressed immune systems. Moisture located in other areas may also contribute to mould growth from increased humidity. For instance, certain respiratory care equipment can produce a lot of mist, thus increasing a room's humidity levels.
The need to restrict air movement in and between various departments, plus the specific requirements for ventilation and filtration to dilute and remove contamination in the form of air-borne microorganisums and viruses together form the basic difference between an environment controlled by air conditioning in hospitals and other building types.
It's most important, therefore, as part of its regime for protecting vulnerable patients from additional and possibly life threatening infections not only to have effective hand washing and hygiene rules for staff and visitors but also to have a regular regime of air duct cleaning in place.
There are plenty of specialist duct cleaning companies that are experienced in dealing with maintenance and cleaning of duct systems in large buildings.
Regular inspection, maintenance and documentation of duscts, cleaning and replacement of filters should be part of all such programmes and the specialist companies can provide all this.
Copyright (c) 2010 Alison Withers
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