Our Next Level Safety Precautions: Air Purifiers

As we discussed in a previous blog, we take our status as a Non-COVID-19 Care Facility very seriously, and have taken many precautions to protect the health of our patients and staff. I have continued to follow the latest literature and news regarding the spread of the coronavirus, and wanted to let you know that we have added portable air purifiers in our practice to provide an added layer of protection.

Protect Yourself

You may have seen articles in the media about whether the COVID-19 virus is airborne. But what we are really talking about is a spectrum in the size of the droplets people discharge into the air. Masks offer protection for the larger particles, but there are many smaller droplets. Even though the risk of aerosol transmission is smaller, it makes sense to prepare for both.

To protect yourself this winter:

  • Maintain social distancing and avoid indoor gatherings at which you may be exposed to symptomatic and non-symptomatic people.
  • If you must be in a gathering indoors, follow recommended guidelines for the maximum number of people in the space and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (and further in poorly ventilated spaces).
  • Wear a face mask and follow best practices to ensure you are wearing it correctly.

Case for Air Purifiers

we've added air purifiers to our practiceI’ve thought long and hard about the concept of “air purification for each room.” When homes and offices are closed tighter in the winter, we want to mimic the outdoor ventilation we enjoy in the summer.

I did a lot of research in June and July; in August, I narrowed down the list of air purifiers and tested several. I decided the Honeywell HPA300 was the best for us, so we purchased 20 units for our practice. There is now one air purifier in each exam room or office space. This will create airflow conditions indoors closer to those outdoors.

The HEPA filters in our air purifiers capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger. Based on their maximum Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of > 300 cfm, they purify a typical exam room in only 4–5 minutes.

We believe these air purifiers are a strong addition to the already stringent precautions we have in effect. Taking this next step is the right thing to do, and we want to be as prepared as humanly possible when it comes to your health and safety. If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know.