Ventilation System - COVID-19 Air Handler Maintenance
How should air handler units which have or are servicing Covid-19 patient care areas be maintained?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
The Joint Commission supports ASHE recommendations that filters only be replaced if needed based on facility policy and procedures and does not recommend that duct work be cleaned. When changes have been made, such as changes in pressurization for creation of COVID specific care areas, ASHE recommends that steps to return the unit to non-COVID Care should include the following:
The Joint Commission supports ASHE recommendations that filters only be replaced if needed based on facility policy and procedures and does not recommend that duct work be cleaned. When changes have been made, such as changes in pressurization for creation of COVID specific care areas, ASHE recommends that steps to return the unit to non-COVID Care should include the following:
- airflow relationships are correct and brought back minimally to the original design flow
- verify that all pressure relationships for pressure related rooms are appropriate
- examine filtration media in air handler units, identify if damage or other reason for changing
- verify air changes are as required
Additional Resources
American Society for Health Care Engineering: Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Manual:
Ambulatory
Chapter:
Environment of Care EC
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: December 22, 2021
Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: May 23, 2020
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on December 22, 2021
with update notes of: Review only, FAQ is current
Types of changes and an explanation of change type:
Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. |
Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. |
Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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