Managing Ventilation To Prevent Airborne Illnesses

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a bright spotlight on operating, maintaining and upgrading HVAC systems in healthcare facilities and, in particular, ventilation. For managers seeking to ensure these systems continue to protect patients and staff from airborne illnesses, one logical step is to formalize the process of ventilation management.

Given the increased emphasis on ventilation requirements in healthcare spaces and the conflicting requirements of various authorities having jurisdiction, a comprehensive ventilation management plan (VMP) will help healthcare organizations manage ventilation to maintain compliance with all applicable accreditation, licensure and regulatory standards, according to Health Facilities Management. 

The process of developing a framework for a VMP includes several key steps, including forming a committee. An effective VMP will need buy-in from a multidisciplinary group of leaders across the organization. Engineering; planning, design and construction; accreditation; infection prevention; nursing; pharmacy; and perioperative services should be represented on the committee.