Buildings have been continuously improving in their energy efficiency, which helps to save money on operation costs and usually creates a healthier environment for occupants. However, having the building operating as a closed-off system means that any issues with the indoor air quality will just amplify over time as the same air is circled throughout…
DetailsResearchers have recently published the results of a study focused on critical room infection control in the Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, a journal for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The study found that surgical site infections are actually seasonal, with the number of them increasing in the summer and decreasing in the…
DetailsOne of the fastest growing Joint Commission citations has to do with Environment of Care issues, with over 46% of hospitals being cited during their 2013 surveys. The year before, only 34% of hospitals were found to be non-compliant. The citations were under code EC.02.05.01 with a focus specifically on the ventilation system being unable…
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You may think your building is operating efficiently, and that there aren’t any major issues wrong with it, but having commercial building commissioning performed will show you issues with your building and how it is wasting energy efficiency. An HVAC Commissioning is the process that ensures a building’s environmental systems are designed, installed, functionally tested,…
DetailsHVAC and water systems are carefully designed for each environment to be able to create a balance of temperature, humidity, air flow, and purity according to the occupant’s needs. However, these systems can fall out of calibration, and need to have testing and balancing services performed by a professional testing and balance company. New…
DetailsHospital patients are more susceptible to infection due to their weakened immune systems, and patients undergoing surgery are even more at risk to becoming infected because of the openings in their skin and the stress healing puts on a body. This is why it is so important for the hospital staff to ensure cleanliness and…
DetailsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 35 million people stayed in a hospital for an inpatient service in the United States during 2015, and over 125 million visited a hospital for outpatient visits during the same time. Out of these visits, an estimated 1.7 million people ended up with a Healthcare Acquired…
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People tend to think that while they are indoors they are breathing clean air. After all, pollution is found outside, and indoor air is filtered through the HVAC system, right? Wrong. This is why indoor air quality management is so essential to have in your facility. Research published in Science of the Total Environment…
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The Joint Commission showing up and going through every little detail of your hospital during a survey can be one of the most stressful times of your job, and receiving a citation can have significant repercussions for your facility. To help prepare, the Joint Commission releases the top citations they gave for the year, allowing…
DetailsThe temperature and the humidity (30%-60%) play a very important role in maintaining staff and patient comfort. They must be carefully regulated and monitored. In low humidity there is a danger of the production of electrostatic sparks. Ideally, the operating room should be 1ºC cooler than the outer area. This aids in the outward movement…
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