By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

Healthcare facilities in New Hampshire are battling high numbers of flu and other respiratory infections in their emergency departments, WMUR 9 reports. Coos County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown is trying to fight back the spread of flu infections following eight residents and 10 staff members testing positive.  

According to WMUR 9’s report, those who are infected are on what the hospital refers to as “droplet control,” meaning anyone going in or out of their rooms puts on personal protective equipment (PPE).   

PPE comes in many different forms such as face shields, disposable gloves, eyewear and full body suits, Phil Carrizales, director of the jan/san division at Acme Paper and Supply Company, previously told Healthcare Facilities Today. Carrizales says that gloves must be changed between rooms/tasks to avoid cross contamination and that N95 facemask users should be fit tested. 

The hospital also was outfitted with a new HVAC system during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent germs from spreading throughout the facility, according to WMUR 9’s report. 

Related: Hands Off: How Hands-Free Doors Help Reduce Pathogen Transmission

HVAC systems can be equipped with filters and other fittings to help halt the spread of infectious germs. However, even simple ventilation can help too, as ERV/HRVs can allow healthcare facilities to bring in more outdoor air which may be free of contaminants and allows the facility to rely less on return air that may be infected, Brain T. Estill, portfolio director – healthy buildings and sustainability at Johnson Controls, previously told Healthcare Facilities Today. After that is the layer of filtration, where an HVAC system can incorporate multi-stage filtration with HEPA filters to capture airborne pathogens. 

“Then, if additional disinfection technology is needed or desired, technologies like UV germicidal irradiation are good, which can be installed in-line at the factory or as field-retrofit options, to further neutralize airborne threats,” says Estill. “Using UV irradiation for applications like kill tunnels or applied to cooling coils and drain pans are great ways to keep the path of air clear of obstructions and clean.” 

Ever since the start of the flu season in late September, New Hampshire has reported around 300 cases and nine deaths, according to WMUR 9’s report. 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor for the facilities market.