TLC’s Michael Sheerin offers guidance on ventilation in COVID-19 healthcare settings

Michael Sheerin, PE, CEO of TLC Engineering Solutions, chairs the ASHRAE Standard 170 committee, which covers the ventilation of healthcare facilities. A 25-plus-year veteran of designing mechanical systems for healthcare, Sheerin and colleagues at ASHRAE, ASHE, and TLC have created a PDF document (updated almost daily) to advise design, engineering, and construction professionals as to the nuances of ventilation for facilities where COVID-19 patients are being treated.

NOTE: The guidance referenced here is based on input from ASHE, the ASHRAE Technical Committee for Healthcare, and the ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170 Committee. The guidance represents the personal opinions of TLC Senior Healthcare Engineering staff. ASHRAE and ASHE are not responsible for the use or application of this information. For further information, contact: Michael.sheerin@tlc-eng.com.

Use of hospital auditorium for post-acute care.

Here are key highlights of the TLC document.

SETTING UP AND IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION PLAN

Health facility operators should first verify the performance of any existing airborne infectious isolation (AII) rooms in their facilities, as well as the performance of the emergency department HVAC system. All HEPA units should be secured, and plans for a patient surge and temporary patient segregation should be readied for deployment.

The primary function and expertise of healthcare engineers in preparing healthcare facilities for COVID-19 is advising on HVAC systems, configurations, and modifications to support the safe segregation of suspected and confirmed patients within controlled-air environments, whether true isolation or modified alternative arrangements.

Basic advice: Keep it simple. In terms of resource management, recognize that you have limited time, so focus your efforts. Don’t waste time or dollars if you don’t have clear goals and a plan. Work with clinicians in the facility to establish minimum standards, define key spatial areas and designated rooms or suites for airborne infectious isolation. Maintain all life safety precautions. Draw a floor plan or map, and make sure everyone involved understands it.

THE BASICS OF PASSIVE ISOLATION

As prescribed in CDC Guidance, the most basic approach is “one patient per room, close the door.” Healthcare engineers should implement related CDC safety protocols and work with clinicians to anticipate patient load and establish a layered approach as needed.

In implementing a layered approach, hospital facilities and their engineering consultants should be aware of the various clinical modes:

• “Normal Mode” - Follow CDC guidelines. The clinical plan may limit airborne infection isolation rooms to patients receiving aerosol-generating procedures.
• “Small-scale Surge Capacity Mode” – The project team may be asked to create additional dedicated AII or temporary patient observation/segregation rooms with HEPA and negative pressure.
• “Large-scale Surge Capacity Mode” – The team may be asked to establish dedicated wards or suites and establish protocols with clinical and environmental action plans.

Floor plan for a small-surge COVID-19 patient room with optimal ventilation.

The report recommends informing clinicians that temporary patient observation or segregation areas are not true AII rooms.

The document also provides guidance on patient rooms and ICUs and ORs (for use with COVID patients and as alternative ICU space).

The document also provides information on personal protection equipment (PPE) and ventilators.

CREATING ALTERNATE CARE SITES

In developing alternate care sites, project teams should be clear about the clinical goals, as they will dictate the infrastructure needed. Are the alternate case sites to be used to provide care to COVID-suspected patients or non-COVID patients? At what acuity level? Don’t forget to consider liability issues if diverging from FGI or State Guidelines.

Triage area near emergency department in parking garage at Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville.

ASHE Note: During emergencies, it is important that activities be coordinated through the organization’s incident command system. Activities outside of an organization’s command structure should be coordinated with the local, county, and state incident command systems. This enables effective and efficient incident management within common organizational structures. See ASHE Resources.

Additional items to plan for and address in creating alternate care sites include the adequacy of skilled care providers and support staff; supplies: PPE, beds, equipment, and infrastructure, including HVAC, power, Wi-fi;  space considerations; and site evaluation and proximity to the hospital and areas of demand.

Design options for AII airborne infection control room for COVID-19 patients.

Do not ignore access to toilets and handwashing. This can be a problem at large-scale facilities like convention centers, such as the Javits Center in New York.

Javits Center, New York - post-acute care configuration.

CODE COMPLIANCE CONCERNS

The design team should coordinate with state and local authorities for help and take appropriate action based on circumstances and develop Interim Life Safety Measures as applicable.

Important reminder: Document the Action Plan and Alterations in Place.