The Royal Free Hospital - London
We were contacted to decontaminate and disinfect ventilation ducts for potential Coronavirus patients.
Decontaminating Royal Free Hospital's Ventilation System Amidst COVID-19
Project background:
The Royal Free Hospital is a major teaching hospital in the Hampstead area of the London Borough of Camden. The hospital is part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. They reached out to System Hygienics to decontaminate and disinfect the ventilation duct to a ward where a potential Coronavirus patient was.
Our Solution:
An airborne virus like COVID-19 has the potential to enter a ventilation system.
BESA has noted in their COVID-19 and Air Conditioning Systems advice note that: “any airborne contaminants can be minimised, if not eliminated, by proper and effective filtration and regular cleaning and maintenance of ventilation systems.”
With that in mind, our team completed a ‘fogging’ of the system, which is a disinfection service using a purogene solution; this would ensure that the virus was suppressed so it could not reproduce within the ventilation.
To ensure maximum efficiency and to save the time of the NHS staff, we received an image of the hospital floor layout; this showed the 6 extract grilles that could be used as access points to the ventilation system. This is an excellent process of disinfecting ventilation systems quickly. We completed the work in just one night and, after receiving a certificate of cleanliness, it meant that the ward could reopen to treat more patients.
Considering how much time we had to prepare for this job and allocate a team of engineers for this service, it was a great success for both parties. Our client received the assurance they needed, and we felt very proud to enable the NHS to continue their services.
We expect to see more work of this nature during the current climate and are ready to help minimise the risk of cross infection from the COVID-19 Coronavirus and make work areas safe again.
Client Testimonial:
“On behalf of Ellis Building Services - System Hygienics were instructed to complete a duct clean along with disinfection within COVID-19 Pods at the Royal Free Hospital. They responded quickly to the enquiry and completed the works in a professional manner like many others for going above and beyond to help us beat Covid-19. I cannot thank you enough on a personal level. Your commitment will not be forgotten. We will look forward to working with them again.”
- James Ellis, Managing Director of Ellis Building Services