Gary Hamilton P.E., PMP, FASHE, LEED AP

Decarbonization refers to the act of lowering or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions produced from human activities, especially carbon fuel combustion, such as burning coal, oil, and natural gas. Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas by trapping heat in the atmosphere, contributing significantly to global warming as well as other damaging environmental consequences.

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) pose a significant threat to patient safety and well-being in various healthcare settings, including ambulatory care facilities. 

The future of design, when it comes to buildings and places, will be focused on safety, wellness, occupant experience, and personalized feedback.

Proper air distribution is very important in critical facilities because it contributes positively to the healing environment for patients and enhances the wellness and workplace quality of the staff.

After the pandemic, we will begin to see more and more convergence within building control systems between traditional applications and newer, pandemic-related technologies.

The value of appropriate ventilation systems should not be underestimated.

Four criteria to designing for IAQ in health care settings: the patients, staff, the building, and building’s external environment 

Designing a hospital or outpatient medical facility can be challenging with the need to adhere to multiple codes and guidelines, equipment coordination, and the possibility of problems beyond occupant comfort.

The provision of adequate ventilation is an essential factor in maintaining patient wellbeing in a health care setting; therefore, maintaining acceptable IAQ has become a huge challenge for health care facilities.

Proper air filtration is the primary means of reducing concentrations of the airborne bacteria that cause HAIs.