By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Right Medicare Supplement Plan
    What If You Need Emergency Care and Don’t Have Insurance?
    February 15, 2022
    Health system obstacles
    Improving the US Health System: Biggest Obstacles
    May 23, 2013
    Will Obama Follow UK Meeting with Adequate Money for Vaccines?
    June 9, 2011
    Latest News
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Tips For What Hospitals Can Do To Improve Air Quality
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Tips For What Hospitals Can Do To Improve Air Quality
Hospital Administration

Tips For What Hospitals Can Do To Improve Air Quality

emilyfolk
Last updated: November 3, 2020 4:07 pm
emilyfolk
Share
5 Min Read
improve air quality
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - By Sucharas Wongpeth | stock photo ID: 1166068798
SHARE

People go to hospitals to recover from illnesses and injuries, but these spaces are not always the healthiest environments. Airborne viruses and bacteria pose a threat, as well as chemical compounds. Sometimes these pollutants are unavoidable, but hospital management can use helpful solutions to minimize adverse health impacts.

Contents
Use High-Quality Air FiltersInstall Air PurifiersBan Smoking ZonesClean Ducts and VentsEnforce a Mask MandateTry Multiple Solutions

These are a few things hospitals can do to improve air quality right away. Patients and staff members will benefit from reduced indoor pollutants and fewer airborne viruses.

Use High-Quality Air Filters

HVAC systems are the first line of defense against pollutants. As they circulate air throughout the hospital, the unit pushes air through filters to catch dust and debris. 

Using high-quality air filters is a quick way to improve hospital air quality immediately. Activated carbon and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters catch gases and odors that traditional ones don’t. 

More Read

Image
The Growing Trend of Automation in Healthcare
To Up Patient Satisfaction, Hospital Supply Chain Units Need Better IT and Technology
Clinical Documentation Improvement: Why Care About Synoptic Reporting?
For Hospitals, More “Likes” = Lower Mortality?
Essential Features of Today’s Hospital Websites

They might cost slightly more than what hospitals relied on previously, but it’s well worth it. Research shows that cleaner air influences workers’ speed by nearly 20%, facilitating shorter wait times and faster non-emergency visits.

Install Air Purifiers

Air cleaners are another helpful system to install alongside existing HVAC units. They use the latest technology to remove multiple harmful pollutants, such as:

  • Mold
  • Pollen
  • Allergens
  • Toxins
  • Smoke
  • Bacteria

Depending on which air cleaner the hospital management team installs, air purification could happen in a few different ways. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) inside cleaners deactivates pathogens that usually float through filters. Certain cleaners might also sanitize the air as it passes through the cleaner instead of relying on only a filter.

Ban Smoking Zones

Opening ground-floor windows flushes out indoor pollution, but not if new dangers float in as well. Some hospitals have designated outdoor smoking areas that pose a threat if nearby windows are opened. Even from distances of 25 feet or more, smoke can travel on the breeze and find its way into hospital rooms and hallways. 

Management can consider banning smoking on hospital property. It’s one way to eliminate a common outdoor pollutant and give staff members another way to breathe better air inside.

Clean Ducts and Vents

HVAC ducts go unnoticed, but they should receive regular inspections. Professionals can spot which vents need a deep cleaning to prevent mold and mildew growth. If allowed to grow, these health threats can release spores throughout the hospital and exacerbate existing illnesses.

Even a small amount of mold presents new dangers. Anyone inside the hospital could experience a range of symptoms like:

  • Watery or itchy eyes
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Rashes

Looking into hospital air quality improvements can prevent mildew and mold from becoming a persistent problem. Routine cleanings are part of maintaining clean air.

Hospitals should also consider cleaning ducts and vents during and after renovation projects. Drywall dust quickly collects in these areas and may trigger respiratory issues such as dry coughs and wheezing.

Enforce a Mask Mandate

Patients with respiratory illnesses or compromised immune systems may wear masks regularly, but everyone else in a hospital can, too. Enforcing a mask mandate prevents people from spreading disease through airborne droplets. It’s a public standard in many countries because it maintains air purity, along with many other health benefits.

A recent study found that when school children wore masks, they reduced their chances of getting sick even during the height of the flu season. Masks are a simple way to improve hospital air quality if patients, visitors and staff all participate.

Try Multiple Solutions

Hospitals can do many things to improve air quality. Management should try multiple solutions to purify indoor air to the greatest possible extent. Everyone benefits from reduced pollutants and airborne disease, so investing in air cleaners or high-quality filters goes a long way in protecting people who pass through the hospital doors.

TAGGED:air qualityhvac
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025
beyond nutrition
Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
Health Infographics
June 15, 2025
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025

You Might also Like

ohio state football
BusinessFinanceHospital Administration

What Doctors Can Learn from Ohio State’s Championship Season

January 20, 2015
eHealthHealth careHospital AdministrationMedical Records

Tips To Follow To Help Avoid Surprise Medical Bills

April 29, 2019
Healthcare Provider Pain Points
BusinesseHealthHealth ReformHospital AdministrationMedical RecordsMobile HealthTechnology

8 Healthcare Provider Pain Points

June 24, 2014
Cost transparency
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital Administration

New ACA Provision Calls for Cost Transparency in Hospitals

May 3, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?