How air quality impacts hospitals

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems do more than just heat and cool air. During optimal performance, HVAC systems also control humidity, establish directional airflow or pressurization relationships between spaces, filter and dilute recirculating air, and flush contaminants from enclosed spaces. HVAC units use humidity to prevent the growth and spread of mold, pollen, and dust that can have serious impacts on the respiratory systems of patients and staff. Poor ventilation allows for airborne pathogens like bacteria, fungi, or viruses to linger, increasing the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Pressurization is important in hospital facilities, as it directs airflow and can keep contaminants out of specific rooms like surgical suites or inpatient areas used for infectious patients. Buildings are designed with specific airflow in mind.

“Clean areas should be under positive pressure; soiled areas should be under negative pressure,” says Steve MacArthur, safety consultant with The Chartis Group. He notes that when assessing hospital facilities, a common issue is “surgical procedure areas not being under positive pressure in relation to adjacent spaces, [or] findings relating to decontamination spaces being positive or neutral in relation to adjacent spaces.”

Editor’s note: This article was excerpted from our Patient Safety Monitor Journal newsletter.