St. Mary’s Hospital Study Finds Advanced Air Purification Technology Reduced Health Care Associated Infections, Including COVID, by 45%
A new scientific study published this month in The Journal of Hospital Infection finds cutting-edge air purification technology installed at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children reduced healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), including COVID, by 45%. The study, which took place over a three-year period and was already underway when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, is thought to be the first of its kind, examining the impact of advanced air purification technology in a real-world hospital setting.
The study results provide a window into the significant advances that could be made in reducing the transmission of airborne viruses and bacteria in hospitals. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HAIs account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year. Beyond hospitals, the findings point to a proven solution for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in other indoor settings, such as schools, restaurants, and commercial office buildings, where the risk of transmitting the virus is the highest.