The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we look at airborne infection risk. Despite concerted national efforts, the novel coronavirus has infected more than 15 million individuals and claimed more than 286,000 lives in the United States alone.
Increasing evidence suggests that the virus is not only spread through large respiratory droplets expelled through coughing and sneezing, but also through microscopic airborne particles.
Because of this, hospitals and medical facilities are quickly pivoting to mitigate the risk of airborne virus transmission and hospital acquired infection. Some experts predict that these changes could become a permanent part of medical building design in the future. According to an article in Healthcare Design, such changes include increasing isolation room capacity, limiting shared staff spaces, isolating operating rooms, designing features that can be more easily cleaned and withstand harsher chemicals, and increasing the use of UV lights and sterilization mists.
Integrating innovative technologies will also be a critical factor in limiting the spread of infection within medical facilities, according to Health Facilities Management Magazine. The HFMM article states that,
“Embracing technology as a key design team element can dramatically improve building designs and patient outcomes. Architects and planners truly can save lives by changing their design view of technology. In five months, the pandemic has forced the use of technology and accelerated implementations that could have taken five or more years.”
One way hospitals can improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital acquired infections is through the effective testing and balancing of their HVAC systems. This is critically important for maintaining “negative air pressure” in a room—meaning that the room is supplied with more fresh, clean air than it is exhausting. This prevents contaminated air from spreading between rooms and patients.
This is precisely why Life Balance was founded. Our unique SāfAir technology allows hospitals and other companies to easily analyze air quality conditions and effectively manage their HVAC systems. It streamlines the process for compliance, auditing, and reporting, which helps lower costs and reduce the spread of airborne infection.
To learn more about Life Balance Technologies and the SāfAir software, visit our Software page.
