Designing for Airborne Infection Control

The estimated total annual cost of hospital-acquired infections in the United States, is ~$7 billion, with airborne transmission contributing 10% to 20%.1 This is a significant issue and these numbers increase when we consider commercial and transportation indoor environments. However, the proper design of the HVAC system can mitigate airborne infection transmission and help to control these costs. This article reviews ASHRAE’s HVAC Design Manual for Hospital and Clinics and HVAC from the perspective of infectious source strength and air change rate, one of the key parameters in healthcare design.