Accurate hospital humidity and temperature control are essential to patients, staff, and visitors’ health and comfort. Air humidity also plays a role in safety by protecting electronic hospital equipment from electrostatic discharges and decreasing the risk of flammable materials igniting. For these and other factors, the management of environmental conditions in healthcare facilities depends on precise hospital temperature and humidity policies to be part of effective operating strategies.
Automated Humidity and Temperature Monitoring for Every Healthcare Setting
This past year has highlighted the need for facilities to be adaptable and efficient. Changing protocols, increased demand for disease control and isolation areas, and an increase in field hospitals’ deployment are all examples of how a disruptive event can challenge the monitoring of environmental controls — and have demonstrated the need for a comprehensive temperature and humidity policy.
Automated Temperature and Humidity Monitoring for Accurate Data Tracking
An effective temperature and humidity policy is only as good as the hardware it relies on. OneVue temperature and humidity monitoring solutions are designed with facility managers in mind. These highly accurate units allow environmental conditions to be monitored and for data to be recorded for easy access through the Primex OneVue® software platform. Easily installed as needed throughout a facility, these monitoring solutions feature audible and visible alerts. When connected to the OneVue network, they can provide alerts by email, text, or phone if conditions fall beyond set parameters.
The Primex OneVue Sense portfolio includes temperature monitoring technology with a temperature probe or thermobuffers for targeted monitoring, or a temperature and humidity (indoor air quality) monitoring solution. Each option provides additional versatility to help temperature and humidity monitoring goals. The technology can be easily installed throughout a healthcare facility, with minimal requirements. Each unit is portable and can be moved to a different location to meet changing demands according to hospital temperature and humidity policy. They are available with battery, AC, or Power over Ethernet power options to ensure data security during network or power outages.
When combined with the OneVue software, the monitoring solutions are part of an integrated monitoring system customized to capture the information you need and create on-demand reports. This capability eliminates the need for manual recording while still maintaining accurate records and the ability to demonstrate policy or regulatory compliance.
Ensuring Patient and Caregiver Comfort
Low air humidity can cause respiratory problems and sensitivity in eyes, skin, ears, nose, mouth, and throat. Low humidity also prolongs the presence of cold and flu viruses. Alternately, high humidity and temperature can increase the spread of bacteria and other contaminants. Both of these conditions — along with too cold or too warm room temperatures — can affect the comfort of the patient and the ability of the caregiving staff to work at their highest levels.
All of these conditions can be managed by setting temperature and humidity parameters and monitoring indoor air quality. With an automated monitoring system in place, personnel can focus on patient care knowing that they will be alerted if humidity and temperature parameters fall out of range.
Protecting Key Assets with Climate Control
In parallel with climate control for comfort and interior air quality, facilities are challenged with maintaining proper storage of medications, laboratory assets, and vaccines. The Primex OneVue Sense suite of monitoring solutions can provide the needed data tracking and reporting required for regulatory standards.
Primex OneVue temperature and combination temperature and humidity solutions provide solutions that meet the CDC, FDA, TJC, and HCAHPS guidelines. With direct alerts and smart device dashboard access, the Monitor system creates an additional value of temperature and humidity monitoring from remote locations. This added assurance gives hospital managers the ability to adapt to guidelines for reduced staff while still maintaining complete environmental monitoring performance.
Effective Policy Adherence with Primex OneVue
Climate control through a comprehensive hospital policy is an effective measure to ensure your facility provides occupant comfort and effectively manages the containment of disease, germs, and allergens. Automated monitoring is a critical component in a hospital temperature and humidity policy that can empower your facility personnel with the data they need to stay compliant.
Through environmental monitoring, data collection, reporting, and effective communications, Primex OneVue is an invaluable tool to implement hospital temperature and humidity policy. The automated monitoring and data recording alleviate the need for manual or on-site recording while still providing a solution to monitor and document conditions. The Primex suite of automated monitoring options empowers managers and creates efficiency, allowing patient care and comfort to remain the top priority.
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Information for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)