The CDC states that 1 in 31 hospitalized patients have at least one illness they acquired while receiving care at a healthcare facility.
These infections range in severity, but almost all of them stem from one underlying issue – highly concentrated indoor air pollutants and inefficient ventilation systems. Without proper filtration and ventilation, illness spreads like wildfire, essentially kicking patients when they’re already down.
These infections are preventable if hospitals take the necessary measures to remove polluted air and bring in fresh, clean air.
Here’s more on hospital-associated infections and steps you can take to prevent them.
What Are Healthcare-Associated Infections?
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are any infections you developed while receiving care in a health care facility, whether through a nursing home or the emergency room. These preventable infections impact roughly 2 million people in the US each year and unfortunately 90,000 of these patients die.
Non-fatal HAIs still result in longer recovery times, which in turn, translates to higher medical bills. HAIs cost hospitals a staggering $28 billion to $45 billion in expenses each year.
The Covid-19 pandemic was a major watershed moment for health care facilities, and poor air quality in hospitals only exacerbated the amount of Covid infections . One study that examined the spread of Covid in hospitals in England stated that 20% of symptomatic Covid-19 patients acquired their infection in hospital settings.
Revelations like this have brought indoor air quality concerns into the limelight, causing health care facilities to look in the mirror, or rather than HVAC system, to change their ways.
What is the Primary Cause of Hospital Acquired Infections?
There are four primary causes of HAIs, including the following:
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections – This occurs when germs enter through the tubing line inserted in your vein to deliver medication.
- Catheter–Associated Urinary Tract Infections – These types of infections are extremely common and occur when germs and bacteria enter a patient’s catheter.
- Surgical Site Infections – The risk for these infections varies by the type of surgery you receive. Contaminated surgical instruments and airborne germs are known to cause surgical site infections.
- Ventilator–Associated Pneumonia – Ironically, the ventilator mechanism used to treat patients for respiratory infections can be contaminated by germs and bacteria.
HAIs are especially dangerous because they’re very difficult to treat, mainly due to the fact that 70% of the HAI-causing germs are resistant to the drugs used for treatment. In addition to HAIs, patients who enter the hospital with respiratory issues can experience more severe symptoms if asthma triggers like dust, mold, and mildew are prevalent in the air.
How to Prevent Hospital Acquired Infections
An efficient HVAC system is the lungs of a hospital. And when your building’s lungs are healthy and functioning, so are your patients’ lungs. So, the first line of defense against HAIs is proper ventilation. Air exchange rates vary depending on the area of the hospitals. For example, ASHRAE 170 requires a minimum air exchange rate of 20 changes per hour. In addition to ventilation, HEPA filters can be utilized to eliminate the spread of airborne diseases in critical areas like operating rooms as well as other spaces throughout the facility.
Contact an Air Filtration Expert Today
A patient’s health and recovery is only as successful as the quality of air they breathe. Clean air, especially in hospitals, is as vital as having access to clean drinking water. To ensure a healthy, more sustainable future, consider choosing energy efficient filters and HVAC equipment.
Contact one of our air filtration experts today to schedule a consultation.