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FAQs About Products for Patient Care
(Questions with links to answers below)
- How much experience doesAbatement Technologies have in the healthcare market?
- Abatement Technologies has sold critical air filtration equipment to hospitals, clinics and other facilities since the mid-1980s. We developed our first HEPA-CARE systems for isolation rooms in 1992. Since then we have worked with more than 2,000 facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas to help them solve their infection control requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- How do we determine which HEPA-CARE Air Purification System is best for our facility?
- Abatement Portable units, which can be relocated from room-to-room as needed, provide maximum flexibility. Ceiling-mounted models are out of the way of staff, and include one model (HC400C-PP) that is specifically designed to meet CDC requirements for point-of-use HEPA filtration of supply air to positive pressure isolation rooms (PE). Both types of units include multiple models designed for point-of-use HEPA filtration of exhaust air from negative pressure AII rooms. Our experienced sales consultants can help you decide which model or models to select, and what other accessory products are required or recommended.
- Why can’t we just buy commercial portable air cleaners to meet our requirements?
- Unlike HEPA-CARE systems, general-purpose recirculating air cleaners are simply not designed to meet the critical infection-control requirements in accordance with CDC, UL, CSA, OSHA and AIA. Features include true Type C HEPA filters, “zero bypass” construction, and the ability to operate in negative pressure, positive pressure and recirculation modes. They are Class II medical devices and safety certified by Environmental Testing Laboratories. For product details, please click here.
- Aren’t all HEPA filters pretty much the same?
- Absolutely not. In many units, HEPA media filters are constructed with inexpensive particleboard frames that can warp, crack, off-gas and support microbial growth. In many instances, completed filters are not tested in accordance with Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology IEST-RP-CC001.3 and MIL-STD 282. Damage to the media pack or leakage between the media pack and the filter frame that might compromise overall efficiency can therefore go undetected. The true Type C (99.99% efficiency @ 0.3 microns) gel seal HEPA-CARE filters are constructed with extruded anodized aluminum frames, have a UL900 Class I flammability rating, and meet IEST and MIL standards, including 100% testing. The unique silicone gel seal provides a more secure, bypass-free seal than other designs.
- How often should I change the HEPA-CARE filters?
- This will vary depending on the size and concentration of contaminants, temperature and humidity conditions, and duration of use. With continuous use, average primary filter life is one to two months, and average HEPA life is two years or more. Timely filter changes are essential. As the filters become loaded with particulate matter, the static pressure differential across the filters increases and the airflow output of the unit decreases. An amber filter-change indicator lamp on the control panel eliminates any guesswork.
- Are tools required for filter changes?
- A ½” hex wrench is needed to access the filter compartment & prevent unauthorized access. Once this is done, filters are extremely easy to change and no tools are required.
- Does changing filters in the Abatement HEPA-CARE ceiling mounted units require removing ceiling tiles?
- No. All filters are room-side accessible in these models so tiles do not need to be disturbed. The same holds true for the UV lamps in the UV400C UV module.
- How long should I run the HEPA-CARE unit between patients?
- The CDC recommends 99.9% removal efficiency in the patient room. With 12 ACH, the waiting time should be approximately 30 to 40 minutes, but a one-hour minimum is a good policy.
- How can Abatement Technologies products help us meet the most recent CDC Infection Control Guidelines?
- Please click here for a summary of the many ways Abatement Technologies products can help your facility meet the 2003 CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities.
- Do the HEPA-CARE systems come fully equipped for negative pressure operation?
- Yes. Complete isolation room kits including the HEPA-CARE unit, a pressure monitor and other accessories are available.
- What if we can't exhaust the filtered air from an isolation room outdoors?
- The CDC 2003 Guidelines for AII rooms state: “Direct exhaust air to the outside, away from air-intake and populated areas. If this is not practical, air from the room can be recirculated after passing through a HEPA filter.” However, state regulations typically do not permit recirculation, and very few installations recirculate, since exhausting HEPA filtered air to the outdoors provides an added safeguard.
- Our facility has combination negative/positive isolation rooms. Do they meet the CDC Guidelines?
- Not any longer. The 2003 CDC Guidelines describe these rooms as “unreliable”, especially in the negative pressure mode, and specifically recommend against their use in new construction or renovations. The Guidelines also discourage the use of these rooms in existing facilities.
- How many air changes per hour (ACH) do we need, and how do we determine how many HEPA-CARE units we need to provide the required ACH?
- CDC requires at least 12 ACH in any renovated or new isolation rooms (PE or AII), a minimum of 6 ACH in existing isolation rooms and at least 15 ACH in operating rooms (including 3+cfm of fresh air). Most facilities target at least 12 ACH even in existing rooms. One or more HEPA-CARE systems may be needed, depending on the size of the room in cubic feet (length x width x height to the drop ceiling). As with any air filtration device (AFD), factors such as filter loading, attached collars or ducting and reduced voltage to the motors will decrease actual delivered airflow.
- How can we factor in these conditions?
- Too much airflow is always better than not enough. Add as much safety margin as is practical within your budget, especially where long duct runs are required. A good rule of thumb is to design for 25% to 50% or more ACH than required to compensate for airflow losses–the more the better. In other words, if 12 air changes are the objective, design for at least 15 to 18 ACH. For information on the number of units required for various room sizes, please click here.
- How is the Abatement HEPA-CARE system disinfected after use?
- We recommend that you wipe down the system with a water-based germicidal. Although changing the prefilters between patients is not required, it is recommended for portable units that could be moved to another room. If filters are not changed in portable units, it is advisable to seal off the openings around the inlet door before the unit is moved. Many facilities replace the prefilters between patients in all units, including ceiling mounted models.
- How often do we need to have the HEPA-CARE units tested?
- The 1994 CDC TB Guidelines recommend quantitative leakage and filter performance testing after installation and every six months thereafter, or whenever the HEPA is replaced. This is a good guideline. Most facilities use the same company that tests and certifies biological safety cabinets.
- Where should the system be located in the patient's room?
- Portable systems should be positioned at a maximum distance from the door to the corridor so as to create a directional airflow away from the corridor and the healthcare worker. Ceiling-mounted systems are generally installed over the patient's bed, and should be located as far as possible away from the room air supply diffuser to minimize "short-circuiting" of air.
- What is "short-circuiting"?
- Short-circuiting occurs when the air supplied to the room by the facility HVAC system passes directly into the HEPA Filtration System without first being circulated through the room. This can reduce the effectiveness of the system for reducing airborne concentrations of TB droplet nuclei within the room.
- Is pressure monitoring required?
- Yes. CDC requires daily room differential-pressure monitoring, but this may be insufficient to catch pressurization problems on a timely basis. Our state-of-the-art continuous electronic monitors eliminate the need for daily, time-consuming smoke tube testing, provide continuous real-time monitoring and a 24/7 record of these conditions. For more information on pressure monitoring systems, click here.
- Are anterooms required?
- In general, the CDC Guidelines include design parameters for isolation rooms with and without anterooms. Anterooms are recommended for certain special situations, such as isolating a TB patient after surgery, or isolating smallpox or viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) patients. The 2003 CDC Guidelines illustrate two options for these situations, one with a neutral anteroom and one with an anteroom under negative pressure related to both the patient room and the corridor. If a room with an anteroom is not available, CDC recommends using portable HEPA units in the room to provide additional ACH equivalents.
- Does my isolation room need to be tightly sealed?
- No. Isolation rooms depend on air that infiltrates into the room (for negative pressure) or out of the room (positive pressure) through the gap under the door and through other small openings. It is not necessary to replace drop ceilings with solid ceilings to maintain sufficient differential pressure and ACH.
- Do we need to seal off HVAC supply diffusers or return air grills?
- In a negative pressure room, it is necessary to seal off any air returns to ensure that the only air exhausted from the room must pass through the HEPA-CARE unit or units. It may also be necessary to damper down supply air to ensure that more air is exhausted from the room than supplied to it. If this is not possible, and supply air volume is substantial, additional or larger HEPA-CARE units may be required to maintain the proper pressure differential. In positive pressure rooms, the reverse applies. Supply air diffusers must be sealed off and return air volume must be controlled relative to the exhaust airflow of the HEPA-CARE unit.
- What is the estimated shipping time of your HEPA-CARE systems?
- We do our best to keep enough inventory on-hand for shipment within 24 hours. Very large orders that must ship complete may require additional time. Approximate transit time within the continental United States is two to seven days. You will be notified of anticipated delays at the time of order placement.
- What is the warranty of Abatement HEPA-CARE Air Purification Systems?
- All systems are covered by a comprehensive limited warranty to the original user against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two years after date of purchase. Over the past 10 years HEPA-CARE systems have proven to be extremely reliable, and both warranty and non-warranty repair requirements have been extremely small.
- What is an Infection-Control Risk Assessment?
- An Infection-Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) is a matrix used to evaluate risks and determine the appropriate infection control measures required for that risk. Please click here for more information on the ICRA matrix.
- Do the CDC SARS Guidelines differ significantly from the CDC TB recommendations?
- No. Similar precautions are recommended, including isolating suspected or known SARS patients in negative pressure AII rooms.
- Is the effectiveness of HVAC-mounted germicidal UV lamps against airborne bacteria and viruses been recognized by health professionals?
- Yes. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2003 Guidelines for Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities, which state: “UVGI is effective in reducing the transmission of airborne bacterial and viral infections in hospitals, military housing, and classrooms”. The CDC Guidelines also state: “In duct irradiation systems, UV lamps are placed inside ducts that remove air from rooms, to disinfect the air before it is recirculated. When properly designed, installed, and maintained, high levels of UVGI can be attained in the ducts with little or no exposure of persons in the rooms.” Also, “The use of fans or HVAC systems to generate air movement may increase the effectiveness of UVGI if airborne microorganisms are exposed to the light energy for a sufficient length of time.”
- How do the requirements for patient isolation during BioT response differ from TB or SARS?
- The design parameters are the same. Patients must be isolated to prevent infecting other patients or staff. Most facilities find it prudent to keep extra portable equipment on hand so additional rooms can be quickly converted to negative pressure treatment or isolation rooms to meet these and other “abnormal” requirements that may overtax existing isolation room capacity.
- What do you mean by “aircraft type construction”?
- This refers to the fact that HEPA-CARE units are constructed from aircraft-type aluminum, and seams are securely bonded with leak-proof solid-aluminum rivet fasteners, similar to airplanes. These fasteners are much stronger and more leak-resistant than hollow pop rivets, nuts and bolts or screws.
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