Air filtration unit have attracted much attention with hospitals, offices, GPs and schools, all purchasing units to try and reduce transmission of harmful, air-bound pathogens such as COVID-19. Creators of Clinell cleaning products have recently launched their Rediair system and provided the following information for facilities looking to purchase an air purifier:

When considering an appropriate air filter, there are multiple features and functions to review. This can be confusing as procurement, infection prevention and control teams come to terms with the language and details associated with air purification systems. Ultimately, the filtering efficiency will depend on the air purifier’s power, filtering capacity, and the space volume in the room. However, there are other factors to be considering when reviewing products.

Filters

Ensure the Air filtration unit contains genuine HEPA filters and not HEPA-like filters. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. HEPA H13 & H14 are considered medical-grade quality, filtering a minimum of 99.97% particles @ 0.3 microns. The addition of pre-filters protect and prolong the life of the HEPA filters, and carbon or charcoal filters reduce unwanted odours and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Filters must be changed according to facility Infection Prevention policies, but an air purifier unit with a Change of Filter notification system will aid timely removal and replacement.

Particle sensor

Built-in particle or air quality sensors indicate the quality of air in the room. The key indiciator is the amount of PM2.5 in the air. PM stands for particulate matter, and 2.5 refers to size (2.5 micrometres). As the unit cleans the air, the level of improvement can be observed using a numerical or colour-coded monitor function. Units with an auto-mode will adjust the speed of the motor automatically according to air quality.

Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)

CADR is an industry-standard measure of the air volume that the air purifier can clean, shown in cubic metres per hour (m3/hr). The higher the number, the more effective the device. An air filter with high and variable flow rate options will ensure adequate air changes/hour.

Ease of use, easy to clean

Are the HEPA filters easy to replace? Are the pre-filters easy to remove and clean? – Look for a unit that can be easily moved around the room and placed in the most appropriate position as required. Outer surfaces should be easy to clean, and the device should come with cleaning instructions, including compatible disinfectants.

Patient Comfort

Noise levels should be a significant consideration when used in a patient room, measured in decibels (dB). Look for a product that shows both minimum and maximum noise levels, dependant on low or high fan settings. A night mode function usually cuts both lights and noise to give patients a chance to rest and recover.

For more information please see the Rediair Product Page »