Hospital & Healthcare Facilities
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Estimated Deaths –
Hospital Acquired Infections
90,000 per year
And Costs
$4.5 Billion Per Year
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Airborne Contaminants Found In
Healthcare Facilities
That are transmitted through the
airborne infectious droplet route
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Bacteria/Virus/Fungi

Bacteria – one-cell organisms that multiple by
cell division

Virus – multiply by entering a host cell, using
the cell’s DNA to manufacture clones of
themselves

Fungi – multiply through the formation of
spores that separate from the parent
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Sources of Contaminants in
Healthcare Environment
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
AIA Filtration For Hospitals*
Area Designation
No.
filter beds
Filter Bank
#1
Filter Bank
#2
All areas for inpatient care,
treatment and diagnosis, and
those areas providing direct
service or clean supplies such
as sterile and clean
processing, etc.
2
MERV 6 - 30%
MERV 15 - 90%
Protective Environment rooms
2
MERV 6 - 30%
99.97%
(MERV 17)
Laboratories
1
MERV 14 - 80%
-
Adm, bulk storage, soiled holding
Areas, food preparation areas and
Laundries
1
MERV 6 - 30%
-
*Guideline for Design and Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities – Table 7.3
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Mini-pleat V-Cell
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
History of HEPA Filters
High
Efficiency
Particulate
Air
filter
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
To Be A HEPA Filter
“Throwaway extended-medium dry-type filter in
rigid frame having minimum particle-collection
efficiency of 99.97% (that is a maximum
particle penetration of of 0.03%) for 0.3 µm
particles of thermally-generated DOP particles
or specified alternative aerosol.”
--IEST
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Background on HEPA Filters
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
HEPA Filter Testing
•HEPA filters should be factory tested to assure the
minimum efficiency 99.97% on 0.3 micrometer
particles
•Personnel installing/replacing should be trained in
proper installation – proper personal protection
•In-place challenging for integrity is highly
recommended
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
2 Years in Service
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
HEPA Filter Integrity Testing

In-Place Integrity
(full media scan)

Also includes joints,
frames, ceiling, gaskets
and other seals
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Biological Safety Cabinets
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Chemicals and Other






Ethylene Oxide
Aldehydes
Waste Anesthetic Gases
Surgical Smoke
Latex - Protein on Powdered Particulate
Antineoplastic Drugs
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Gaseous Contaminant Removal
Principle Methods

Physical – Adsorption


Activated carbons
Chemical Chemisorption


Chemically treated
activated carbons
Potassium permanganate
impregnated media
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Proposed Standard
ASHE/ASHRAE Standard 170P
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
SUMMARY





Good Predictive Maintenance
Good Housekeeping
Listening – Observing – Following
ASHE/ASHRAE and AIA Guidelines
Use of higher efficiency filters and Integrity
Testing in-situ of HEPA Filters
Using gas-phase filtration for chemicals &
odors
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2
Cleaner Air = Safer Environment
Copyright National Air Filtration Association
2006 Rev. 2