Keep your sensitive equipment safe from moisture & contaminants 

Moisture and Contaminants are the hidden enemies of healthcare facilities for their Imaging Rooms/Operation Theatres/Pathology Labs. You need Dry and Clean Air to prevent corrosion and malfunctioning and ensure accurate results.

 

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Healthcare and Hospital Room humidity control

For good health care, it is important to have healthy indoor air quality. For this, ample amounts of outside air need to enter the building through the ventilation system. Outside air can account for over 90% of the moisture load that usually occurs in many healthcare facilities. Temperature control is easily achieved with air conditioning but managing humidity levels are often overlooked by health care providers who have been focused solely on temperature control systems thus far. Uncontrolled humidity in a healthcare facility can result in:

Condensation

Condensation

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Corrosion of sensitive equipment

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Microbiological growth

Inaccurate-Readings

Inaccurate readings

Equipments-Malfunctioning

Equipment malfunction and failure

Doctors

Uncomfortable environment for surgeons and patients

Why Healthcare Facilities Requires Humidity control?

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It leads to Hazardous Microbiological Growth

Inadequate ventilation air and fresh air can promote the buildup of chemical and biological contaminants which can further deteriorate the patients’ health. It is significant to remember that the bacteria travel on water vapour in the gentle wind. Many bacteria flourish in the humid air. But at the relative humidity levels of 35% or lower, the bacteria and viruses die very quickly. The high humidity levels found in ductwork downstream of cooling coils is an ideal environment for bacteria and viruses to flourish.
Operation-Theator-Room

Cleanliness is compromised in Operation Theatre Rooms

Most of the OT rooms are designed for a 100% fresh air system. Fresh air has an exceptionally high moisture content. A high fresh air ratio causes condensation on OT walls. Moisture increases fungus growth due to humidity higher than 60%. The cleanliness level of operating theatre can’t be compromised with the fungus growth. High RH level inside the OT damages electronic equipment inside the OT as well.
Imaging-Room

Increases the frequency of breakdown and repair in Imaging Rooms

All parts of the CT suite/MRI Suite require mechanical ventilation. Particular care is needed for the CT scan room itself and the associated control room. In these areas, the system must provide temperature and humidity control that meets the specific environmental needs specified by the manufacturer of the CT system. Exceeding the tolerance values may increase the frequency of breakdown and repair. High humidity levels inside the sensitive equipment room will cause corrosion on sensitive equipment, equipment failure, condensation inside the room, damage to sensitive hospital equipment and microbial growth.
Surgeons

LEADS TO SURGICAL STAFF DISCOMFORT

The multiple layers of clothing face masks, hair covers and protective gloves are uncomfortable as they trap in body heat and exacerbate perspiration. Thick layers of the protective garment have forced surgeons and their staff to demand room temperatures as low as 16 °C to 18 °C which in turn makes humidity control difficult to achieve with conventional air conditioning, and humidity can rise to over 75% RH. These cool, damp conditions can cause the surgical staff to perspire and feel very uncomfortable.
Laser-Eye-Surgery

Condensation on active lenses in Laser Eye Surgery Rooms

Eye hospitals use Lasik equipment (comprising high power lenses) which can get damaged due to condensation on active lenses which results in difficulty while operating. Research shows that eye surgeries performed in the hottest and most humid months (typically July, August and September) require more corrective procedures later when compared to surgeries done during other months.
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Contamination of Samples in Diagnostic Rooms

For Dark Room, Biology lab, Chemical lab, Immunology, Hematology, Pathology Lab the contamination of Samples and corrosion on sensitive equipment is observed frequently

Rooms that required temperature & humidity control

Room Temperature (ºC)

Relative Humidity (%)
Operation Theatre 18-20 °C 50-55% RH

Imaging Department:- X-ray room, MRI, CT Scanner, Mammography, Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, Angiology, Tomography

 22-24 °C 50% RH

Pathology Department, Dark Room, Biology lab, Chemical lab, Immunology, Hematology

 22-24 °C 35-50% RH
Laser Eye Surgery Rooms 18-24 °C 30-40% RH

Other areas in the hospital where humidity control is required

X-ray films require being stored in ambient humidity conditions else there is a likely photo-catalytic reaction on it which could lead to poor image quality and consequent incorrect diagnosis and treatment.

Bry-Air Solutions

Desiccant dehumidifier offers a tested alternative for humidity control at low temperatures. It is recommended to integrate a compact model (Minipac series) into the air conditioning system. This guarantees low-cost operation and better heat load control. Since Ferrous metal is not allowed in MRI and CT scan rooms due to changes in the magnetic field of MRI and CT scan machines, the advantage of the Bry-Air Dehumidifier is that it can be set up outside the room as well. Unlike conventional cooling based equipment, the moisture removal capacity of desiccant systems actually improves at lower temperatures. Refrigeration based dehumidifiers have metallic parts inside which can interfere with the machine's imaging system. 

Bry-Air Dehumidifiers Remove moisture most efficiently

  • Protects sensitive instruments from ill-effects of moisture and thus from corrosion
  • Avoid erratic readings and malfunctions
  • Ensures accuracy and reliability of results
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Advantages of Desiccant Approach

  • Humidity control codes and standards can be easily met by Hospital Management
  • Eliminates high RH in duct work, allowing the HVAC systems to comply with ASHRAE STD-62 Guidelines - to maintain RH below 70% to avoid microbial contamination
  • Main chiller need to operate/run at a low chilled water temperature in operating room
  • At higher temperature, central system chiller runs more efficiently, providing additional sensible cooling
  • RH can be maintained at 45% RH or lower even at temperature below 64 °F
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