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Re: Mobile fans in patient rooms

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  • #77652
    Michael Wishart
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    Author:
    Michael Wishart

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    State:
    NSW

    [Posted on behalf of member – Moderator]

    Hi Michael

    There should be no confusion here.

    Fans should be avoided. Fans, whether the blade is internal or external have inconsistent airflow and the ability to collect dust – their action can also carry aerosol and droplet particles beyond where they would typically go. The motors are also areas where dust and other particulates can accumulate over time and be dispersed so even when cleaning, there is no indication here in our guidelines to take apart the equipment for thorough decontamination that I’m aware.
    But if they are to be used then bladeless fans are recommended. I believe that these are also potential hazards – the internal structure, even though bladeless, can harbour microbes – there have been some o/s studies from the UK that have shown cross infection from pathogens lying in the internal spaces. Performing hand hygiene before and after handling the fan would be a good idea as well as paying attention to fan positioning eg do not place on the ground.

    Here’s a snippet (attached) from the recent Aust Health facility guide

    Hope this helps
    Helen

    Helen Vertoudakis | Director | Vert Health
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    #77654
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Author:
    Anonymous

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    Organisation:

    State:

    Hi Michael,

    Fans (and split AC systems) shouldn’t really have a place in patient care areas. As well as the ability to accumulate dust and debris on the fan blades (and for that reason I would personally think one with blades you could see would be better if you are going to use one, as then you know when it needs cleaning!), they change the air flows throughout the room and potentially in to surrounding areas. Split ACs also lack the filtration that centralised air conditioning systems have and lack the introduction of fresh air into the system.

    Your hospital engineers and AC technicians have spent a long time balancing the air con so the air flow in the direction it should be going to reduce infection (negative and positive pressure areas etc.) and introducing a fan just messes this up, creating potential for unexpected spread of infection in some areas.

    Regards,

    Sarah Bailey MSc, PGDip Med Myc
    SENIOR CONSULTANT

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    [Posted on behalf of member – Moderator]

    Hi Michael

    There should be no confusion here.

    Fans should be avoided. Fans, whether the blade is internal or external have inconsistent airflow and the ability to collect dust – their action can also carry aerosol and droplet particles beyond where they would typically go. The motors are also areas where dust and other particulates can accumulate over time and be dispersed so even when cleaning, there is no indication here in our guidelines to take apart the equipment for thorough decontamination that I’m aware.
    But if they are to be used then bladeless fans are recommended. I believe that these are also potential hazards – the internal structure, even though bladeless, can harbour microbes – there have been some o/s studies from the UK that have shown cross infection from pathogens lying in the internal spaces. Performing hand hygiene before and after handling the fan would be a good idea as well as paying attention to fan positioning eg do not place on the ground.

    Here’s a snippet (attached) from the recent Aust Health facility guide

    Hope this helps
    Helen

    Helen Vertoudakis | Director | Vert Health
    helen@verthealth.com.au | Ph +61 433 027 373 |
    PO Box 536 Broadway NSW Australia 2007
    http://www.verthealth.com.au

    Please consider our environment before printing this e-mail
    This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to
    whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender. Vert Health does not accept liability
    in connection with any computer virus, data corruption, delay, interruption, or unauthorised access and amendment.

    MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

    The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

    Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

    Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

    To send a message to the list administrator send an email to admin@acipc.org.au

    You can unsubscribe manually from this list by sending ‘signoff acipclist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au

    MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

    The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

    Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

    Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to acipclist@acipc.org.au

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