Ongoing air purification trial at NHS Hull to confirm reduction of COVID transmission in hospitals

Ongoing air purification trial at NHS Hull to confirm reduction of COVID transmission in hospitals

First-of-its-kind trial at NHS Hull seeks to confirm COVID transmission reduction through air filtration tech

NHS Hull is spearheading the use of ESP filtration technology as a key tool for infection prevention control. In the first trial of its kind, electro-static air purifiers are reducing the amount of particulate matter, including airborne viruses, by an average of 55%, signalling innovation for infection prevention control and the reduction of COVID transmission within the NHS.

High precision air quality monitors were placed in Hull University Teaching Hospital’s Majors and Minor injuries area in February 2021, where trial test results have found that ESP air purifiers capture 99.5% of airborne pollutants and viral particles sized PM1, which is where many harmful viruses exist, including COVID-19.

As we continue to fight COVID around the UK, and as cases rise in Hull, the trust is now seeking to confirm the purifiers’ ability to capture and neutralize airborne coronavirus particles through an infection prevention control audit in September 2021, which aims to provide further insight into ESP purifiers’ ability to improve indoor air quality and manage COVID transmission.

With hospital resources continuing to remain under pressure, the ability to reduce the risk of COVID infection for both hospital staff and patients seeking treatment for existing conditions signals innovation for the country’s publicly funded healthcare system.

Chris Garner, Interim Director of Operations for the Emergency Medicine Health Group at the Trust, said: “We were really pleased to be chosen to participate in this trial and we are excited by the initial results. The most important data for us is around the transmission of infections and we are interested to explore whether there is any evidence that ESP filtration technology can reduce infection rates in areas where they are located as this might have an impact on how we manage areas of our hospitals in the future”.

The Evergen Air systems use electro-static precipitators to ionise pollutant particles and microorganisms, including bacteria, fungus and coronavirus particles within range. This ability to neutralize and destroy harmful airborne pathogens could innovate healthcare settings by allowing patients to seek treatment without risking COVID infection, and improving resource management during this particularly challenging time for the NHS.

Sukhbir Sidhu, Evergen’s founder, is excited by this, saying; “the pandemic has bought the issue of air hygiene into sharp focus. Where many sites see a considerable amount of viral dispersal and the need to improve the circulation of air flow according to standardised regulations, this trial demonstrates the ability of EvergenAir to remove pollutants in real world settings and meet regulated requirements for air quality. Air cleaning technology is far more efficient than filtration systems, and Evergen now has the highly successful real-life trial at Hull where our certificated and accredited technology is further demonstrating this.”

Working closely with science partners to prove the efficacy of their technology, and to monitor and limit its Ozone emissions, Evergen remains focused on providing hospital and healthcare environments with access to air purification solutions, to benefit the health and well-being of our NHS heroes and their patients. 

 

 

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