An Engineer ’ s Perspective on Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections
This opinion piece by Carl Coetzee ( Pr Eng ), a mechatronics engineer at Lombard Consulting Engineers ( LCE ), is based on a recent presentation titled “ Reducing Healthcare- Associated Infections : The Engineer ’ s Perspective .” LCE is renowned for its extensive mechanical and electrical engineering expertise in the healthcare sector .
As healthcare professionals continue to battle healthcare-associated infections ( HAIs ), it is essential to recognise the critical role that building services engineers play in this ongoing struggle . At Lombard Consulting Engineers ( LCE ), we aim to design and implement strategies that enhance patient safety and reduce infection risks within healthcare facilities . This article explores vital engineering strategies , focusing on ventilation methods and design processes , services engineers ’ early involvement , and the significance of end-user education .
Ventilation : A Key Strategy in Infection Control Various ventilation techniques are one of the most effective ways to minimise pathogen transmission ( the process by which infectious agents , such as bacteria , viruses , fungi , or parasites , are spread from one host to another ) in healthcare settings .
Engineers employ dilution , filtration and directional airflow methods using differential pressures to mitigate the spread of airborne infections .
• Dilution involves increasing the volume of clean air changes to dilute the concentration of airborne contaminants , increasing the particle removal efficiency . The infectious dose can vary widely across pathogens and human susceptibility can be up to 20 times greater in poorly ventilated areas .
• Filtration systems are designed to remove dust particles or aerosolised respiratory droplets which pathogens travel on from the air . Pathogens that can remain truly airborne with no form of carrier are exceptionally rare .
• Differential pressure control ensures that air flows from clean to less clean areas , preventing contaminated air from migrating into healthcare facilities . The term cascading or airflow hierarchy is typically used to refer to the design
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