Page 54 - Security Today, May/June 2023

Hospital Security One of the top concerns for hospitals is maintaining optimal Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and detecting poor IAQ. By using air quality sensors in combination with an open platform, data-driven video technology and smart ana- lytics, hospitals can monitor air quality con- ditions and detect potential risks — such as high levels of particulate matter or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause respiratory problems or infections — and improve patient safety, health, and the hospi- tal’s satisfaction ratings. Indoor Air Quality has always been cru- cial for hospitals because it can directly impact the health and well-being of patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. Hospitals are unique environments requiring a high standard of indoor air quality to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. Maintaining optimal air quality within hospitals is essen- tial for many critical reasons: Infection control: Hospitals are places where poor indoor air quality can lead to the spread of airborne illnesses such as COVID, tuberculosis, and the flu, particularly for patients with compromised immune systems. Respiratory health: Indoor air pollutants such as dust, mold, and chemicals can trigger respiratory problems in patients with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Comfort and well-being: Hospitals are stressful environments, and poor indoor air quality can exacerbate discomfort, anxiety, and stress in patients and staff. As healthcare professionals improve care and deliver a more patient-centric experi- ence, video analytic tools are becoming increasingly influential in hospital settings. Data-driven video technology, along with smart analytics, can provide hospital staff with real-time data that can accurately mon- itor air quality and detect possible health hazards. This technology has the potential to mitigate air quality-related issues and make the environment healthier and more pleasant for patients and staff alike. The use of these integrated data technologies has also become a significant asset in assisting hospitals in achieving and sustaining compli- ance with the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Standard 170. Addition- ally, they prove beneficial in the daily opera- tions aimed at enhancing the patient experi- ence, leading to increased favorability ratings in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys. Proactive IAQ Data Tools An open platform, data-driven video manage- ment system (VMS) can be an essential tool Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com "Indoor Air Quality has always been crucial for hospitals because it can directly impact the health and well-being of patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. Hospitals are unique environments requiring a high standard of indoor air quality to ensure the best possible patient outcomes." 10 campuslifesecurity.com | MAY/JUNE 2023 for hospitals looking to leverage integrated analytics to monitor air quality (as well as many other environmental factors) and man- age a wide range of smart edge devices and sensors. Video-generated air quality data can be incredibly accurate as compared to tradi- tional point measurements. Top air quality concerns within a hospital or healthcare facil- ity can include the following: Airborne Pathogens: Hospitals are often crowded with patients, visitors, and staff members, which increases the risk of air- borne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause infections in vulner- able patients. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Hospitals use a variety of chemicals for cleaning and disinfection, which can release VOCs into the air. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irrita- tion, headaches, nausea, and even cancer. Particulate Matter (PM): Particulate mat- ter includes tiny particles that can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems. Hospitals can generate PM from activities such as cleaning, construction, and medical proce- dures. Proper filtration and ventilation are necessary to control the concentration of PM. Temperature and Humidity: Hospitals require specific temperature and humidity conditions to ensure the comfort and safety of patients and staff. High temperatures and humidity can promote mold growth and other pathogens, while low humidity can cause dryness and irritation of the respirato- ry system. Odors: Hospitals can generate unpleasant odors from food and medical waste sources. Effective ventilation and odor control mea- sures are essential to maintain a comfortable and healthy environment. Today’s networked digital air quality sen- sors can detect everything on the above list and many other air quality concerns, includ- ing smoking and vaping, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and the off-gassing from materials such as cleaning fluids, disinfec- tants, paints, and varnishes. In all cases, an open platform VMS leverages an ever- expanding community of manufacturers, software developers, and application devel- opers who all work together to create exten- sions of each other to solve real-world facility problems.