I read with considerable interest Howard McKew’s January 2011 “Tomorrow’s Environment” column in Engineered Systemsand his involvement in HAIF. He is absolutely correct, more must be done to reduce the staggering number of preventable deaths caused by hospital acquired infections. I became intensely aware of the daily operations of certain hospitals three years ago while visiting my wife during her extended stay (3 to 4 weeks) in three different medical institutions. Howard and his team have a daunting task ahead of them, a task that must include awareness by all parties involved, identification of the diseases and their causes, and a commitment to create solutions. It really is not all about money, it is about saving lives.
One suggestion I have is to compile a complete list of the diseases, their causes, and how they are spread. Any manufacture worth their salt should jump on the chance to improve their product if they are provided with the facts. Hospitals have a great deal of in house procedural changes to make in concert with HVAC and architectural changes.