Environmental Health & Facility Management Flashcards

According to ASHRAE Standard 170, what is the minimum total air change rate required for a general patient room?

Answer: 6 air changes per hour

ASHRAE 170 requires a minimum of 6 total air changes per hour (ACH) for general patient rooms, with at least 2 ACH of outdoor air.

An Airborne Infection Isolation (AII) room must maintain what type of pressure relationship relative to the adjacent corridor?

Answer: Negative pressure

AII rooms must be maintained at negative pressure so that air flows inward, preventing airborne pathogens from escaping into the corridor.

Which organization publishes the ventilation standards most commonly referenced for healthcare facility design and inspection?

Answer: ASHRAE

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) publishes Standard 170, which is the primary ventilation standard for healthcare facilities.

During a hospital inspection, water temperature in patient care area handwashing sinks is consistently below the minimum. What is the primary concern?

Answer: Legionella growth prevention

Inadequate hot water temperature allows Legionella bacteria to proliferate in the water system, posing a serious risk of Legionnaires' disease.

According to ASHRAE 188, at what minimum temperature should hot water be maintained at the storage heater to prevent Legionella growth?

Answer: 140°F (60°C)

ASHRAE 188 requires hot water to be stored at a minimum of 140°F (60°C) to kill Legionella bacteria throughout the water system.

Which federal regulation requires hospitals to have a written Water Management Plan to reduce the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens?

Answer: CMS Conditions of Participation (42 CFR Part 482)

CMS Conditions of Participation require hospitals to develop and implement water management policies to prevent waterborne illness, including Legionella.

An inspector finds standing warm water in a hospital's HVAC cooling tower. What is the primary infectious disease concern?

Answer: Legionella pneumophila growth

Cooling towers with standing warm water are ideal environments for Legionella pneumophila to multiply and then aerosolize, potentially causing Legionnaires' disease outbreaks.