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"The greatest risk is from an unsuspected patient in an unprepared hospital."
The words of Eric Toner (Sr. Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in an article for CIDRAP) may seem ominous, but they are spot on in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak and the potential risk to our brave healthcare professionals.
UVC for COVID-19 The potential flashpoint is at the patient intake and waiting area. At this point the client is a question mark and their status is undetermined. In a common area like this many pathogens (influenza, TB etc.) become aerosolized and spread throughout the space. How can healthcare facilities prepare?
Employ multiple interventions. Availability of proper masks and respirators (PPE); signage to educate the patient on symptoms; enhanced cleaning protocols, including the addition of ultraviolet equipment for air and surface disinfection.
Shortwave UV energy (UVC) has been proven to be an effective adjunct against many pathogens when used with the standard and enhanced cleaning protocols. FILTER SALES and SERVICE, Inc is a distributor of "American Ultraviolet UVC and Germicidal products which provides the necessary disinfection solutions with our custom designed, and unique "Four Pillars of UVC Disinfection for Healthcare" program.
The first of our "Four Pillars of UVC Disinfection for Healthcare" are the upper air and ceiling mounted disinfection units. These units provide a "blanket of UVC protection" over waiting rooms, emergency rooms, corridors, central areas, and other areas where infected hosts can spread the contamination.
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Read the entire Four Pillars of UVC Disinfection from American Ultraviolet
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From a filtration point of view, the droplets from infectious viruses must be removed from the air. Recognized authorities have recommended filters with MERV ratings of MERV-13 or MERV-14 to accommodate normal operating conditions in public spaces such as commercial buildings and certain public areas within hospitals for example. While these stated filter efficiencies will offer some level of droplet capture, for individuals wishing to take additional precautions and further reduce their risk during this time,
Millions of viruses dawdle in the air and the surfaces that can easily be transmitted with a simple contact. Bodily fluids like saliva or mucus can get dispersed into air as tiny droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. According to scientists, coughs and sneezes can travel several feet and stay suspended in the air for up to 10 minutes and virus on surface can survive up to four hours at room temperature. Also, airborne transmission through small particles (< 5 microns), which may stay airborne for hours and can be transported long distances. In some cases, virus can spread through ‘zoonosis’ where the host carrying the virus is an animal.
COMBAT INFECTIONS IN THE AIR
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Click on Products or use the search bar to find Merv 13 or Merv 14 filters, UVC and Germicidal Lamps and Hepa filtration.
Camfil air filter experts discuss Coronavirus COVID-19 and the best air filters for the virus. Depending on their size, droplets can remain airborne from seven minutes to almost two hours, at which point they can be inhaled, or settle on the face and hands and enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Fortunately, the smallest droplet of concern can be removed from the air with a high-efficiency air filter.
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Can Air purifiers with HEPA filtration efficiently capture particles that are the size of the new coronavirus? The short answer is yes, --air purifiers are effective in protecting against infectious airborne viruses and pathogens.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is approximately 0.125 micron (125 nanometers) in diameter. It falls squarely within the particle-size range that HEPA filters capture with extraordinary efficiency: 0.01 micron (10 nanometers) and above. Some have claimed HEPA filters don’t filter below 0.3 micron and therefore can’t capture the new coronavirus. That claim is false. A NASA study of HEPA filtration determined HEPA filters are actually most efficient—almost 100 percent at 0.01 micron—at capturing ultrafine particles below the 0.3-micron HEPA test standard.
One great way to assist with flu and coronavirus prevention is to install a MERV 13 or 14 rated air or furnace filter in your home or business. MERV 13 and 14 filters capture airborne viruses and bacteria from coughs and sneezes. There is credible evidence that a stringent air filter will protect you from the coronavirus, and clean air helps keep your immune system strong. Be sure to change your filters regularly because clean filters mean cleaner air.
Learn more about MERV 13 and 14 Filters by visiting Filter Sales and Service
Click on Products or use the search bar to find Merv 13 or Merv 14 filters.