Isolation wards are important facilities for the treatment of patients with infectious diseases. In the past, there have been waves of new coronary pneumonia outbreaks in Hong Kong. Even if the number of confirmed cases has dropped, the authorities have not slackened their efforts to build more flexible isolation wards or temporary hospitals. , for future anti-epidemic use.
The ventilation system is crucial to the isolation facility's ability to function. The author mentioned above that after SARS in 2003, he worked with many experts to conduct research on indoor ventilation. The application of high-efficiency particle filters enables ordinary wards, clinics, and even indoor spaces such as quarantine hotels in hospitals to achieve a certain level of clean air quality without the need for major renovations.
Written by: Yuan Bailiang, senior engineer and former president of the Institution of Engineers
As mentioned above, after the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003, the author conducted research with a number of experts in microbiology, epidemiology and indoor air quality in 2007, and confirmed that building ventilation is related to airborne infections, and will also prevent Indoor ventilation requirements such as virus transmission are standardized to prepare for future infectious disease pandemics.
The research has led to stricter standards in the construction of facilities such as isolation wards in Hong Kong, and has also indirectly led to the use of portable high-efficiency particle filters.
This facility is equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA), which can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%, which is enough to filter most virus particles.
Therefore, when the sudden increase in the epidemic situation has caused a surge in the demand for isolation facilities, and some buildings may not be suitable or have enough space for renovation or the addition of ventilation systems as isolation places, such mobile devices can be used for site modification.
For further research, the author conducted experiments on this type of movable high-efficiency particle filter in the past, and published a report in 2007.
The author and other experts specially built an experimental ward, placed 6 standard beds in it, and used filters to measure the particle filtration efficiency of different degrees, and simulated the airflow situation by visualizing smoke. The air exchange rate per hour has increased to a level of nearly 6 times.
However, this device cannot replace the supply of indoor fresh air, but can only help filter pollutants or viruses in the air to achieve the efficiency of clean air.
Therefore, it is mostly used in general wards where it is impossible to identify whether there are patients with new coronavirus patients and other patients. If there are confirmed people in the room, there is a chance to reduce the risk of indoor transmission.
In addition, general medical clinics, restaurants, restaurants, and quarantine hotel corridors can also be installed with this filter to block germs.
It was reported earlier that there was a chain of transmission in a quarantine hotel. It is estimated that when hotel guests opened their room doors, the virus-laden air flowed into the corridor and then into other rooms. Many quarantine hotels have since purchased such filters. Improve ventilation and cleanliness.
With the increasing demand for clean air facilities, many people in the innovation and technology industry have developed in this area. However, when considering the application of new technologies, users need to be careful to understand and understand whether these new technologies are certified by a credible organization. , use and impact on the audience, etc.
The author believes that under the lessons of SARS in the past, different researches have been promoted, and experts have persevered in various verifications and experiments. Under the new crown epidemic today, it is easier to grasp the ventilation requirements for combating the spread of infectious diseases and viruses. It is also a relevant standard. The following stricter guidelines that can be in line with international standards may also contribute to the joint efforts of various regions to fight the epidemic.
"01 Medical Clinic" cooperates with senior engineer Yuan Bailiang to launch a column "Yuantu With You" every Monday to share the big and small matters of engineering and medical care.
Yuan Bailiang has always been committed to promoting the professional development of the engineering field. He is the former president of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.
Decades of professional journey are really worth remembering, and I am convinced that later generations may be able to understand the key points of the engineering profession.
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