By By Dan Hounsell

Few systems in healthcare facilities have come under greater scrutiny than HVAC systems. Though first overlooked as a contributor to the spread of the coronavirus, HVAC systems soon moved front and center as managers, executives and even the general public grew aware of the systems’ role in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Now, the American Society for Health Care Engineering and the Naval Medicine Readiness and Training Command have created a new document that provides a literature review of recommended practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force and ASHE resources on HVAC controls for healthcare facilities treating COVID-19 patients, according to Medical Construction & Design.

The resource seeks to fill a knowledge gap in the field because there are no defined and definitive recommendations for environmental controls when handling COVID-19 patients. The guidelines also address design and implementation of controls to limit potential exposure to staff and others through HVAC systems.