Medical Construction & Design

NOV-DEC 2016

Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.

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60 Medical Construction & Design | NOV EMBER / DECEMBER 2016 | MCDM AG.COM Ellis Hospital is a general medical and surgical hospital in upstate New York with 419 beds providing emergency, inpatient medical/surgical and psychiatric care for three counties around Schenectady. Specialty services include a nationally recognized heart center, a New York State-designated stroke center and advanced surgery programs, such as cardiothoracic, orthopedic, neurological and vascular, among others. The facility features state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, a modern 36-bed intensive care unit and one of the most advanced health information technolog y systems in Northeastern New York. In 2010, patients and staff noticed that vehicle exhaust emissions were entering the facility through a large fresh air intake located under a covered area, which served as a primary pick-up and drop-off point for patients entering and leaving the facility. The fresh air intake supplied ventilation air to a 30,000 cfm air handling unit, which served several areas within the hospital. In spite of signs urging "no idling" that were posted in the covered area, there were still complaints about vehicle exhaust odors. Complaints were heaviest in the winter months. Patient comfort and wellness were also concerns. "This is not an uncommon situation," said Jeff Watcke, region manager for Dynamic Air Quality Solutions. Healthcare facilities typically use a lot of ventilation air. Vehicle exhaust odors can come from idling cars or ambulances idling in ambulance bays. Or from jet engine exhaust when helicopters take off and land on nearby helipads. We often have very similar issues at schools where the problem can be caused by idling cars or school buses before and after school." At Ellis, the hospital consulted with Trane, who had furnished the air handlers. Trane recommended that Dynamic V8 Air Cleaning Systems be installed inside the air handling units to clean re-circulated indoor air, as well as all incoming ventilation air. In addition to off ering MERV 15 performance that would remove odors and the ultrafi ne particles that comprise engine exhaust, the air cleaners off ered a residual benefi t of lower maintenance. According to the manufacturer, the high dust-holding capacity inherent in the polarized-media air cleaning technology would extend fi lter change-out intervals from months to years. Six years later, the facility personnel continues to be pleased with the results. The air cleaners eliminated the ultrafi ne particles and odors as expected. The hospital staff has not only been satisfi ed with the air quality and the elimination of the odor complaints, but they have also been very pleased about the longer fi lter service life. According to Darren Schaperjahn, manager of facilities and utilities at Ellis, "Prior to the installation of the Dynamic V8 Air Cleaning Systems, hospital maintenance personnel were replacing 2-inch passive pleated fi lters every few months. Six years later, we have the fi rst replacement media pads on hand for the air cleaners and we intend to change them out soon. We've had no issues with these systems and no complaints of smelling fumes since their installation." Visit dynamicaqs.com. Products IAQ The right RX for indoor air quality, maintenance Clearing the Air Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York chose Dynamic V8 Air Cleaners to remove odors from idling vehicle exhaust and was able to extend fi lter change-out intervals to well over fi ve years. > High dust-holding capacity inherent in polarized-media air cleaning technology extends fi lter change-out intervals from months to years. Hospital: Photo courtesy of Ellis Medicine

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