Hospital Air Filtration Guide: Tailored Solutions for Critical & General Zones

Introduction Hospitals represent one of the most critical applications for air filtration technology. A robust air filtration system is essential for preventing the environment from becoming a transmission source for medical staff, patients, and visitors. Furthermore, studies confirm that high-quality indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare facilities significantly promotes patient recovery, reduces stress, and boosts staff efficiency.

However, designing a hospital filtration system requires precision. Requirements vary significantly based on ventilation quality, room size, occupancy rates, and the specific medical procedures being performed.Generally, the critical zones requiring specialized air filtration include:

--- Operating Rooms (ORs) / Surgical Suites

--- Isolation Rooms & Infectious Disease Wards

--- Intensive Care Units (ICU) & Sterile Wards

--- Outpatient Halls & General Wards

Some scenarios require only primary filtration, while others demand multi-stage protection. Below is a guide to meeting these diverse needs.

1. Operating Rooms (ORs)

The Operating Room demands the highest level of air cleanliness within a hospital. During surgery, even microscopic dust particles can carry bacteria, leading to surgical site infections (SSIs). Maintaining a sterile, ultra-clean environment is vital for patient safety.

Key functions of air filters in the OR:

>> Maintain a Sterile Environment: HEPA/ULPA filters remove over 99.999995% of particles sized 0.3 microns, effectively mitigating infection risks.

>> Control Airflow Patterns: By precisely controlling airflow paths, filters reduce contaminant concentration in the surgical zone.Reduce

>> Complications: Superior air quality lowers post-operative infection rates and ensures higher surgical success rates.

Recommended Solution: Terminal high-efficiency filtration systems are mandatory.

>> HEPA / ULPA Filters: Typically installed in the Laminar Flow Ceiling directly above the surgical table, ensuring air leaving the diffuser meets 99.99%+ efficiency.

>>Laminar Flow Diffusers: These ensure a unidirectional, vertical downward airflow that "washes" contaminants away, preventing turbulent air from spreading pathogens within the room.

2. Isolation Rooms & Infectious Disease Areas

When managing infectious diseases like COVID-19 or Tuberculosis, containment is the priority. The goal is to either prevent pathogen leakage (Negative Pressure) or protect immunocompromised patients (Positive Pressure).

Recommended Solution: Safety and containment are paramount for maintenance crews and the environment.

>> Bag-in/Bag-out (BIBO) Housings: A safe-change system that allows maintenance personnel to replace contaminated filters through a PVC bag barrier, ensuring zero contact with pathogens.

>>Exhaust HEPA Filters: All air exhausted from infectious wards must pass through high-efficiency filtration before being released into the outdoor environment to protect public health.

3. Outpatient Halls & General Wards

Outpatient areas and general wards experience high foot traffic and density, leading to a mix of airborne viruses, dust, and odors (such as medicine or body odors). While these areas do not require sterile conditions, poor air quality can hinder patient recovery. Key functions of air filters in General Zones:

>>  Remove Allergens: Effectively trap dust mites, pollen, and other allergens to comfort sensitive patients.

>>  Reduce Infection Risk: Lower the viral and bacterial load in the air, offering protection for those with weaker immune systems.

>> Improve IAQ: Fresh, clean air is a fundamental component of the healing process.

Recommended Solution: We recommend a 2-Stage Filtration System (Primary + Secondary).

>> Pleated Panel Filters (Pre-filter / MERV 8): Acts as the first line of defense to intercept hair and large dust particles, extending the lifespan of expensive secondary filters.

>> Pocket / Bag Filters (Secondary / MERV 11-14): effectively captures pollen, mold spores, and fine dust. The pocket design offers high dust-holding capacity and low maintenance frequency, making it ideal for central HVAC systems.

>> Activated Carbon Filters (Optional): Recommended for hospitals near busy roads or areas requiring specific odor control to adsorb harmful gases and smells.

4. Intensive Care Units (ICU) & Sterile Wards

Patients in ICUs are often critically ill with severely compromised immune systems, making them highly susceptible to infection. The air quality standards here are second only to Operating Rooms.

Recommended Solution: A Multi-Stage Filtration Protection strategy is required.

l  Pre-Filters: To protect downstream filters from large particulates.

l  Terminal HEPA/ULPA Filters: Installed at the air supply terminal. With an efficiency of 99.95% - 99.999995% for particles ≥0.3μm, these effectively filter bacteria, fungal spores, and most viral aerosols.

Why Choose Amorair?

All Amorair medical-grade products, from pre-filters to ULPA filters, undergo rigorous testing to meet or exceed industry standards (such as ASHRAE and ISO). Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001 certified, ensuring that every filter provides reliable respiratory protection for doctors and patients alike.

Looking for a reliable filtration solution for your hospital project? Amorair offers a complete line of medical air filtration products backed by extensive supply chain experience in North America and Southeast Asia.