Preventing Mold and Allergens in Healthcare Facilities

Preventing mold growth is important in any building or outdoor area, but for hospitals, clinics, dental offices and other healthcare facilities, it’s critical. Outpatients, patients who have recently undergone surgery and patients in long-term or critical care may have compromised immune systems or other health issues that make exposure to mold dire.

As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “invasive mold infections can affect people with weakened immune systems, such as organ or stem cell transplant recipients. Although rare, mold outbreaks can occur in healthcare facilities, causing severe illness and death among patients. Two common types of healthcare-associated invasive mold infections include mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Depending on the organism and patient characteristics, death rates can be more than 50%.”

Healthcare administrators and sanitation professionals are undoubtedly well aware of the dangers associated with mold and other allergens. Many of these sanitation guidelines are outlined by the CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory organizations, and medical professionals have the expertise based on their training and education to understand these concerns.

However, mold doesn’t really care how cognizant and proactive medical facilities are in preventing allergens and mold; sometimes, the growth of mold or introduction of allergens is due to natural circumstances that are beyond anyone’s control.

Nevertheless, healthcare facilities can remain diligent in preventing mold growth by taking the following precautions:

• Filtering the air.
• Fixing leaks, such as those due to damaged roofs, and repairing building damage promptly.
• Reducing dust during construction.
• Reducing mold exposure through laundry linens.
• Controlling humidity levels, including those related to showers in patients’ rooms.

Laundry rooms and linens — for which there are numerous cleaning recommendations and sanitation policies — are a significant source of concern, as they provide many opportunities for mold growth and the release of allergens into the air. Water can pool up on the floors and impact pipes and equipment. Moisture can saturate drywall, leading to mold and a musty smell that can irritate some individuals. The linens can be compromised if they sit too long before being washed or remain damp after they come out of the cleaning cycle – which can be especially hazardous because patients touch linens directly.

Truly, however, mold can grow anywhere throughout medical facilities — on tools and equipment, on furniture, in basements, in cafeterias and so on.

“Hospitals possess numerous areas that fulfill the conditions required for mold growth,” as stated in an article on Infection Control Today. “Mold thrives in darkness and needs organic matter, such as drywall or dust to sustain its growth. With their intricate designs and large wall and ceiling cavities, health care facilities provide an ideal environment for mold to flourish without detection. The introduction of moisture acts as the final component necessary for mold to thrive and proliferate.”

Understanding how to effectively prevent mold in healthcare facilities is essential, but recognizing mold growth with the naked eye isn’t always possible. That’s why contacting a mold removal and prevention specialist is so important.

At Hays + Sons, our certified mold remediation technicians will act quickly to contain the spread of any mold. They will test for spores and provide full mold remediation, including professional deodorization and biological organic growth removal. If you are concerned about mold in your healthcare facility, our experts are here to help. Contact us by send us a message through our website. If your situation is urgent, such as in the case of flooding or leaks, call our 24-hour emergency hotline at 800-536-4056.