Air Quality in Healthcare Settings: An Intro for Key Decision Makers

What You Need to Know

As a facilities manager, chief engineer or key decision maker working within a healthcare setting, you’re working in an environment where indoor air quality is more critical than anywhere else.

There are currently over 6,000 hospitals across the USA, with over 33 million admissions reported in 2022 alone. This number continues to grow. Meanwhile, Inpatient healthcare is ranked by the EPA as the second-largest commercial energy users in the country, consuming close to 10% of the total energy used in U.S. commercial buildings. This amounts to more than $8 billion spent every year: a figure that can be expected to grow with increasing energy costs. These numbers reflect only some of the challenges you face, both in terms of securing ideal patient outcomes and delivering the highest levels of care under a limited budget.

Among hospitals-related health risks, environmental factors play a key-role; ranging from different rooms’ specific use to patient vulnerability and risk of overcrowding. For these reasons, air quality control in healthcare settings - and how we address it with HVAC solutions - deserves special attention. Before we get into the detail, let’s take a look at some of the key statistics between levels of health and the indoor air that we breath:

• Air pollution significantly impacts human health and is regarded as the world's largest single environmental health risk by the World Health Organization ( WHO )
• Indoor pollutant levels can be up to five times, or even 100 times, higher than outside pollutant levels ( EPA )
• The overall concentrations of CO2, VOCs, and PM2.5 in otorhinolaryngology clinics are significantly higher than those in other areas ( Research Gate )
• Increasing evidence suggests that chronic exposure to these pollutants is associated with reduced pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and/or asthma, cardiovascular disease, and/or cancer ( Research Gate )
• Other studies had found higher mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air in dental offices (>100 CFU/m3) [40,41] and elderly care centers (>300 CFU/m3) ( MDPI )

The Story Behind the Stats: What it Means for You

For facilities managers and healthcare professionals, these statistics make for important reading. However, they do not paint a comprehensive picture of the complex nature of air quality control in US healthcare settings.

Consider this fact. Hospitals play host to a diverse mixture of chemicals ranging from volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds from cleaning solutions, detergents and disinfectants to particulate matter from buildings and microbiological compounds such as bacteria from in and outpatients. This demonstrates that the HVAC requirements for your environment are highly complex and sensitive.

These observations demonstrate that good indoor air quality in healthcare settings isn’t just about comfort. It’s about ensuring the highest levels of patient care and clinical outcomes. It’s about protecting those many thousands of healthcare workers who risk their own health to care for the sick. Last but not least, it’s about making informed HVAC decisions that lessen, rather than add to the problems faced in public health today.

Here at Brookaire, we believe that advanced HVAC solutions have the potential to transform the healthcare landscape across the USA. As someone with a responsibility for air control, we invite you to upgrade your knowledge and build on your awareness of HVAC solutions with this definitive white paper. Keep reading to learn more about how our solutions can tackle the many challenges you face.

Tackling HVAC Challenges in Your Healthcare Facility

Your decision-making around the right HVAC system for your clinical setting is crucial. However, ensuring optimal levels of air quality in hospitals, private clinics, birth centers and nursing homes alike is both costly and energy intensive.

Before making any purchasing decisions around your healthcare setting’s HVAC solutions, it is critical that you understand the strict requirements you must satisfy. Below, we’ve captured some of those that are most important.

Indoor Air Quality Concerns

As discussed, the relationship between patient outcomes and air quality is crucial. Indeed, this issue has become highly relevant following the outbreak of COVID-19. Poor indoor air quality exacerbates existing conditions and can lead to new conditions - an issue that affects patients and healthcare staff alike. Your choice of HVAC system must filter out pathogens and pollutants to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all.

System Longevity

Healthcare settings often operate under strict budgetary limits, making HVAC systems a critical investment. This is where system longevity plays a crucial role. Your system should be durable and reliable, withstanding high demand and constant use to ensure a sterile environment for patients and staff.

Energy Efficiency

Healthcare settings spend over $8 billion per year on energy bills, with HVAC costs occupying a significant portion of that figure. However, Specifying solutions that optimize energy consumption without compromising patient care levels can present a significant challenge. By specifying the right solution, it is possible to strike this balance.

System Performance

In healthcare settings, system downtime represents a significant threat to patients and staff, compromising patient comfort and disrupting medical operations. This becomes all the more likely in your setting, where dust, microorganisms and other pollutants can significantly impact system performance. This makes it essential to employ a robust system that maintains both optimal performance and effective filtration.

Protection of Medical Equipment

Whether you work in a birth center, hospital, dental clinic or nursing home, it is certain that it will house sensitive medical equipment that demands stable environmental conditions to function. However, airborne particles and contaminants can severely affect the performance and longevity of this equipment. It is therefore clear that HVAC isn’t just about protecting people: it’s also about protecting your facility’s most important assets.

HVAC Labor Costs

In healthcare settings, the ease and efficiency of installing and maintaining HVAC systems are paramount. Facility managers and maintenance teams must implement solutions that minimize disruption to patient care. The installation and maintenance processes must be streamlined and efficient, reducing labor costs and ensuring systems are always operational without impacting patient services.

HVAC Disposal Costs

Selecting HVAC systems and components for healthcare facilities also involves considering disposal costs and environmental impact. Using compact, high-efficiency filters from trusted brands can reduce these costs significantly. Healthcare administrators often rely on reviews and proven performance, making it essential to choose HVAC solutions that offer both operational excellence and cost-effective maintenance.

How Can You Meet the Challenge?

With such extreme demands facing your healthcare facility’s air filtration units, it is vital to partner with a HVAC specialist that provides solutions that are capable of meeting these critical needs effectively.

That’s where Brookaire comes in. We leverage decades of air filtration experience to offer best-in-class solutions for every challenge you face.

Meeting the Air Quality Challenge

• Our air filters meet the ASHRAE 52.2 standard, which assesses the performance of HVAC filtration systems.
• Brookaire's filters are independently verified to provide superior filtration, critical for maintaining a healthy, safe indoor environment in hospitals and clinics.
• Our manufacturing expertise ensures that our filters effectively defend against airborne pathogens and contaminants, crucial for patient and staff health.

Meeting the Energy Challenge

• For your setting, specifying an energy efficient system is non-negotiable.
• Fortunately, our range of HVAC solutions strike the balance between air flow resistance, filtration efficiency and filter lifespan, reducing energy bills whilst cutting the environmental impact of your facilities.
• Our air filtration experts are on-hand to help you specify a system that operates within your budgetary constraints.

Protecting Medical Equipment

• Brookaire’s filters use nanofiber technology, ensuring optimal airflow efficiency and maximal filtration throughout the filter's lifespan. This state-of-the-art media guarantees your medical equipment operates efficiently, reducing energy consumption significantly.
• Our filters with higher MERV rating keep HVAC components free from contaminants, maintaining system efficiency over extended periods. High dust holding capacity filters reduce the frequency of replacements, minimize operational disruptions and save costs.

Ensuring System Performance

• Our filters are designed to prevent the common causes of HVAC system failures. By reducing the buildup of debris and minimizing the strain on HVAC components, Brookaire filters extend the life of your systems and reduce the likelihood of unexpected malfunctions or costly repairs.
• We understand that in healthcare, every moment counts. Our HVAC systems are designed for reliability, ensuring they operate smoothly around the clock to support the continuous, demanding pace of healthcare operations.

Reducing Labor Costs

• Brookaire designs HVAC systems that are straightforward and quick to install. This reduces the time spent by maintenance teams on installation, thereby minimizing the disturbance to the daily operations of healthcare facilities.
• Regular maintenance can be performed swiftly and efficiently, ensuring systems operate optimally without significant labor overhead.
• By utilizing high-quality, durable components, Brookaire HVAC systems require less frequent repairs and replacements, lowering the overall labor costs associated with system upkeep.

Reducing Disposal Costs

• Healthcare administrators prefer HVAC solutions that have a track record of reliability and cost-effectiveness. Brookaire’s reputation, built on consistent performance and positive reviews, ensures that healthcare facilities invest in systems that meet their rigorous standards for quality and efficiency. This reliance on proven solutions minimizes the risk of frequent replacements and the subsequent disposal costs.
• Brookaire’s compact, high-efficiency filters are designed to last longer while performing effectively, thereby reducing the frequency of replacements and associated disposal costs. By extending the service life of these components, healthcare facilities can lower their environmental impact and reduce the volume of waste generated.

Brookaire: How We’re Helping Healthcare

Brookaire's extensive range of products delivers the performance, energy efficiency, and durability that healthcare facilities require. Yet, our service goes beyond just supplying air filters—we partner with healthcare institutions across the USA to enhance their operational efficiency and air quality. Discover why we are more than just a supplier…

Efficiency: Streamlining Healthcare Operations

• 30-Minute Delivery Window: In healthcare, every minute counts. Our precise 30-minute delivery windows ensure minimal waiting, allowing your medical staff to focus on patient care without unnecessary delays.
• Scheduled Site Delivery 24/7: You determine the best delivery times, accommodating the unique schedules of healthcare environments, ensuring deliveries sync with your operational needs.
• Reduce Staff Travel Time: Our timely delivery cuts down the need for staff to leave the facility for pickups, keeping them on-site and focused on patient care.
• Maximize Staff Efficiency: By minimizing off-site time, Brookaire’s delivery services transform saved hours into productive, billable time, enhancing the efficiency of your healthcare team.
• Ease of Installation: Our air filters are designed for seamless integration into existing systems, facilitating quick and hassle-free installation. This ensures that your healthcare facility's operations are not interrupted, and maintenance can be completed swiftly and effectively.

Satisfaction: Upholding Your Healthcare Facility’s Reputation

• We Care: We understand that the reputation of your healthcare facility is influenced by its operational efficiency and the environment it maintains. Our commitment to excellence ensures minimal disruption and maximizes patient and staff satisfaction.
• Highest-Quality Materials: The quality of materials in HVAC systems is crucial, especially in healthcare. We use only premium materials that enhance the durability and effectiveness of our products, ensuring that they support a sterile and safe environment.
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes: Our leading-edge manufacturing techniques ensure that every product meets the highest standards of quality and consistency, essential for the demanding needs of healthcare settings.
• Partnership Approach: We see our role as your partner, where your success reflects our performance. Our superior products support your healthcare facility's needs, ensuring each installation enhances your reputation for quality care.

Customized Solutions for Unique Healthcare Needs

• Tailored Manufacturing: Our advanced facilities are equipped to produce air filters of any size and specification, designed to meet the unique requirements of your healthcare environment, whether for standard patient rooms or specialized cleanroom applications.
• Quick and Flexible Production: Recognizing the critical nature of time in healthcare, we prioritize rapid production without sacrificing quality. With a 48-hour lead time on special size filters, we ensure your custom orders are processed quickly to keep your projects and care protocols on schedule.
• Simple Ordering Process: Ordering custom filters is straightforward with Brookaire. Contact us with your specifications, and our team handles everything from confirmation to production, simplifying your procurement process.
• Assured Quality: Each custom filter undergoes rigorous quality control to meet our high standards. We use top-grade materials and precise manufacturing to ensure optimal fit and performance, giving you confidence in the air quality and operational efficiency of your healthcare facility.

Your Premier Knowledge Resource in Healthcare HVAC

• Expert Team Available: Our extensive team of HVAC experts is ready to address any queries or challenges you may encounter, providing fast, reliable advice and solutions tailored to the healthcare sector.
• Educational Blogs & Articles: Our comprehensive blog offers a wealth of knowledge, from maintenance tips to the latest in HVAC innovations, all tailored to enhance the operations of healthcare facilities.
• Guides and Technical Support: We provide detailed guides and personalized support, helping you navigate the complexities of HVAC systems in healthcare settings, ensuring you have access to expert advice whenever needed.

The Inventory Every Healthcare Setting Needs

Brookaire's pleated MERV 10 air filter is the most common style filter used in HVAC systems. These filters are fabricated using a wire backed synthetic media assembled within a beverage board cardboard frame. Pleated MERV 10 air filters come in a vast array of standard size die cut frames in 1", 2" & 4" depths. The pleated style design provides additional surface area of media maximizing the air flow and efficiency. These air filters provide the perfect balance of air flow and efficiency. Pleated MERV 10 filters are commonly used in high end residential and commercial HVAC systems.

With lower initial resistance and better dust holding capacity, this is the high capacity version of Brookaire's pleated MERV 10 air filter . These filters are fabricated using a wire backed synthetic media assembled within a beverage board cardboard frame. High Capacity Pleated MERV 10 air filters come in a vast array of standard size die cut frames in 1", 2" & 4" depths. The pleated style design provides additional surface area of media maximizing the air flow and efficiency. These air filters provide the perfect balance of air flow and efficiency. Pleated MERV 10 filters are commonly used in high end residential and commercial HVAC systems.

Brookaire's pleated MERV 11 air filter widely used in HVAC systems. The filters are manufactured using a wired backed synthetic media assembled within a beverage board cardboard frame. Pleated MERV 11 air filters come in a vast array of standard size die cut frames in 1", 2" & 4" depths. The pleated style design provides additional surface area of media maximizing the air flow and efficiency. These air filters provide a great balance of air flow and efficiency. Pleated MERV 11 filters are commonly used in high end residential and superior commercial HVAC systems as an upgrade to standard pleated MERV 8 air filters. They can also be used when the HVAC system's airflow capacity does not allow for MERV 13 use, but higher grade filtration is required. Captures: Legionella, Humidifier dust, lead dust, milled flour, auto emission particles, nebulizer drops, and more! Made in the USA.

Brookaire's MERV 13 pleated air filters are best in class. Made with synthetic media wire backed and inserted into a sturdy moisture resistance beverage kraft board frame it achieves long service life. This high performance pleated air filter provides the highest initial and sustained efficiency along with a lowest initial pressure drop in its class. The MERV13 media made with Nanofiber technology enabling great air flow while sustaining high filtration achieving MERV 13 per ANSI/ASHRAE Std. 52.2. These filters are available in 1", 2" and 4" depths in a full range of standard and custom size. MERV 13 pleated filters are used as a pre-filter for high end final filters.

• Typical Applications: Superior Commercial Buildings, Hospital and Pharmaceutical, Education Facilities, Gyms, Hospitality
• Captures: All bacteria, droplet nuclei, droplet borne viruses, cooking oil, most smoke (3rd hand smoke), insecticide dust, most face powder, most paint, pigments.

Brookaire’s Ring Panels, Ring Links & Cube Filters are made with a graduated density polyester media with a dry tackifier on the downstream side. It is designed to replace pleated and/or fiberglass throwaway filters. MERV 8

Brookaire Mini-Pleat Air Filters. Synthetic Filter Media, next generation mini pleat compact filters in polyester media, high surface area, high dust holding capacity, low pressure drop, increased filter life & ensured filtration performance with plastic ABS or cardboard die cut frame, best for green building concept and variable volume areas.

Brookaire V-Bank Air Filters. Synthetic Filter Media, Next generation mini pleat compact filters in polyester media, high surface area, high dust holding capacity, low pressure drop, increased filter life & ensured filtration performance with plastic ABS frame, best for green building concept and variable volume areas.

Brookaire's HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing) Filters are designed with premium air filter media to maximize the amount of particles removed from the air when installed in an HVAC system. HEPA filters are commonly used in critical environments like clean rooms for pharmaceuticals, hospitals, food manufacturing, data centers and more. The use of HEPA filters increases the protection of your HVAC equipment while providing maximum efficiency in removing contaminants from the air. True HEPA air filters are at least 99.97% efficient in capturing particles between 3 - 10 microns.

Introducing Brookaire's Metal Mesh Filters, crafted from high-quality aluminum and designed for durability and reusability. These washable filters are an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for your HVAC needs, providing excellent filtration without the need for constant replacement. They can be reused multiple times, reducing waste and saving on the cost of frequent filter replacements. Ideal for both commercial and residential systems, these filters are not just a practical choice but an investment in sustainability.

V-Belts

The outside fabric wrap is treated with highly oil and heat resistant, engineered synthetic rubber, specifically compounded for superior wear resistance, proven through thousands of hours of customer use to be durable and dependable. The helically wound tensile cords are specially manufactured with twisted, heat and chemically set, polyester material. The body rubber is a highly engineered synthetic rubber compound, specially compounded for cool running, crack resistance, and excellent bonding to the outside fabric and tensile cords.

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