Craig Chapman, Bacticell product specialist, and an air filter training specialist, at GVS Filter Technology UK, discusses the importance of correct specification of filtration components for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment, to optimise system hygiene, improve plant performance, reduce energy consumption, and maximise efficiencies. 81Health
The writing and publication of this article follows GVS’s attendance at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers IMechE Healthcare HVAC Conference in November 2013, which discussed how heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems can further aid infection control, and where energy savings can be made in the process. GVS has long promoted the direct link between indoor air hygiene and the management of effective air filters within HVAC systems. The EN779:2012 standard (for general ventilation filters) certainly brings major improvements over the 2002 version, which has been mirrored in the updating of HTM. However, no inclusion is made in either standard to review the levels of bacterial build-up within filters, and their possible consequences.
The IMechE conference advised that since the onset of the systematic tackling of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), the rate of ‘media-worthy’ infections remains at 10%, despite so many initiatives to lower that figure. Costs to NHS Trusts exceed £12,500 per infection, slowing bed availability, and affecting nursing rotas. We use the term ‘media-worthy’ to refer only to MRSA, C. difficile, and Legionella, two of which are highly unlikely to be transferred via supply-only HVAC systems.
Wards, corridors, and recovery areas
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