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62 Medical Construction & Design | NOV EMBER / DECEMBER 2015 | MCDM AG.COM FIT BY RICH LANCASTER H ealthcare facilities are always looking for ways to minimize the impact on patients of facility changes or upgrades. Requirements around fi ltration and pressurization, temperature and humidity and infection control add to the complexity of mechanical replacements. Hospitals often seek to avoid disruption or structural modifi cations in the process of making mechanical equip- ment updates or upgrades. New reimbursement models, designated by the healthcare law, are driving many organiza- tions to update their master plans to accommodate changing business and facility plans. These new business drivers are challenging existing mechanical equipment by requiring installed equipment to successfully support changing space functions. Now, more than ever, custom air handling units are being considered in healthcare facilities for their fl exibility, durability and high- performance attributes. Consider the following: Healthcare facility uptime, while maintaining ideal conditions, is paramount The healthcare industry is under stringent facility require- ments. Owners and operators require maximum confi dence that a mechanical system won't inhibit daily healthcare operations in all disciplines within the building; e.g., surgery, imaging, emergency room. HVAC customization offers superior solutions for the most stringent specifi cations, including dependable daily operations. Varying degrees of redundancy are required in the healthcare industry, up to and including N+1 design for key air handlers and heating/cooling equipment, to ensure continuous operation. Also, infection control considerations drive improved patient outcomes, such as: > Lo-temps/humidity: Along with redundancy, operating rooms have been requiring lower temperatures while maintaining acceptable relative humidity > Specifi c air pressure levels must be met based on space usage; e.g., positive pressure operating rooms > Filtration requirements: MERV 14 (or better depending on the application) fi ltration (with pre-fi lters) at the air handling unit > UV disinfection systems to kill bacteria > Eliminating air recirculation to minimize redistribution of infectious diseases through the air conditioning duct supply system Stabilize operating budget expenditures with ease of maintenance, durability As annual operating budgets have been fl at or reduced year over year, facility owners and operators strain to reallocate dollars to services, which strengthens a facility's ability to meet value-based payment models. Custom AHUs can stabilize expenditures through less THE RIGHT The benefi ts of HVA C customizatio n ANDREI MERKULOV /DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM