New ASHRAE Handbook Features Chapter on Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently released the 2011 ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Applications. This reference book provides more than 60 chapters addressing a broad range of HVAC applications, including the latest technologies available for HVAC&R engineers.
The 2011 edition includes a new chapter, "Ultraviolet Air and Surface Treatment." The chapter covers topics from HVAC system surface treatments to studies on airstream disinfection and room surface treatments. Dave Witham, UltraViolet Devices (UVDI)"s vice president of technology, was a member of the team that developed this chapter.
The new chapter provides ASHRAE guidance for recommended levels of UV intensity appropriate for surface disinfection applications. According to the handbook, "UVGI can be applied to HVAC systems to complement conventional system maintenance procedures." It goes on to discuss the benefits of low UV-C irradiance applied to cooling coils and drain pans resulting in a highly cost effective method of preventing mold and bacteria growth on system components.
Happy Hand Hygiene Day! Rethinking Glove Use for Safer, Cleaner, and More Ethical Health Care
May 5th 2025Despite their protective role, gloves are often misused in health care settings—undermining hand hygiene, risking patient safety, and worsening environmental impact. Alexandra Peters, PhD, points out that this misuse deserves urgent attention, especially today, World Hand Hygiene Day.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens
April 25th 2025Health care-associated infections are driving a shift toward disposable microfiber cloths, mop pads, and curtains—offering infection prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in one-time-use solutions.
Vet IP Roundtable 2: Infection Control and Biosecurity Challenges in Veterinary Care
March 31st 2025Veterinary IPs highlight critical gaps in cleaning protocols, training, and biosecurity, stressing the urgent need for standardized, animal-specific infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.
Invisible, Indispensable: The Vital Role of AHRQ in Infection Prevention
March 25th 2025With health care systems under strain and infection preventionists being laid off nationwide, a little-known federal agency stands as a last line of defense against preventable patient harm. Yet the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now facing devastating cuts—threatening decades of progress in patient safety.
