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Recently, many hospitals are not up to code for air quality. This is because there are certain standards in place that need to be met before a hospital can meet requirements and avoid any fines. The problem with these standards is that the federal government is enforcing them, and most hospitals don’t know about them or how they apply.
As a result, patients could be breathing in bad air all day long without knowing because their health care provider has no idea either. It’s important to know about testing the air quality of a hospital including what’s required, who needs to do it, why it matters, and how often you should test your hospital for compliance.
Table of Contents
1) Who Needs To Test The Air Quality In A Hospital?
Anyone can test for bad air, but hospitals must have their own testing done by their doctors and employees. This is because there are specific standards in place concerning how clean the air must be, and it varies from state to state. For example, an acceptable amount of bacteria in the air might be less than 100 CFU/m3 in one state but greater than 1000 CFU/m3 in another. To ensure that hospitals are within these standards, they need to have their own employees conduct tests that they will then report back to a federal agency and submit data for compliance purposes.
2) How Often Should You Test The Air Quality In A Hospital?
It is recommended that hospitals conduct testing on their own employees every week and for patients once a month. These tests often occur at different times throughout the day, which means they need to be conducted by various people in the facility to ensure compliance.
3) What Are Air Particulates?
Air particulates have been found in hospital air, just like they are in the outside environment. They can include smoke from cigarettes and microorganisms such as mold spores or bacteria. Air particulates are a major concern because they can cause respiratory problems for patients, especially those with chronic conditions like asthma that may not be immediately noticeable due to the building’s air filtration system. When particulates are inhaled, they can cause infections that could then lead to complications. If an infection is not discovered in time, it could spread and affect other areas of the hospital, which can be costly for the facility and a risk to patients’ health.
4) What Should You Do If You Find Out Your Hospital Has Bad Air Quality?
As a patient or administrator of the hospital, you should also understand your rights and responsibilities. Although doctors working at the facility must test for compliance, they still need to keep you safe. If microorganisms continue to be found on multiple occasions, it is likely that something in the HVAC system is out of date or not working properly. This could cause bacteria to spread throughout the hospital and lead to infections, allergies, and even illness that may leave you admitted for days or longer.
As a patient in this situation, it would be recommended that you ask your doctor about his thoughts on the air quality. While he isn’t required to test for compliance, he is a knowledgeable person with an opinion that you might want to consider if the air in your hospital isn’t up to par.
Conclusion: Should The Air Quality In Hospitals Be Tested?
If you are going into the hospital for an extended stay, there is no guarantee that things will go as smoothly as possible. If you are in a new facility that hasn’t been tested properly, then it is more likely there could be problems with the air quality, or there might be a problem with the HVAC system itself that needs attention. If you have concerns about your hospital’s air quality, then talk to your doctor or seek another opinion if necessary. Hopefully, your hospital has been found to have good air quality, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if you are in doubt.
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