Here’s how our latest Centre of Excellence benefitted from CleanLight
The Problem
This busy health centre is on the frontline of the NHS, providing a range of services to the local community resulting in a constant throughput of visitors being treated by a highly skilled care team. As the post-pandemic regime loosens the users of the site remain at risk from the airborne transmission of a range of pathogens. While COVID-19 remains present, it is now joined by increased influenza and the bacterial infection of Group A Strep & Scarlet Fever. Therefore, the risk to staff and the potential loss of productivity within this heavily burdened organisation is significant.
The general areas have limited provision for mechanical air handling other than the ability to open external windows and doors. While air movement is improved in the treatment rooms this enclosed (4m x 4m) space represents a higher risk of airborne transmission.
Samples taken in the general areas indicate levels of airborne bacteria above recognised permissible levels. Those seen in the treatment room were lower but the heightened risk indicates that the current ventilation is sub-optimal.
The Solution
Following the completion of the Air Quality Audit, a lighting design was created that replaced the existing lighting configuration ensuring lighting levels were delivered in line with CIBSE guidelines. This provided consistent coverage of CleanLight panels that Lightico calculated to deliver the equivalent of 5.39 ACH (air changes per hour) in the general area and 8.53 in the treatment room
Through the simple replacement of the existing lighting, the CleanLight panels are now providing clean air without the need for the business to invest in installing and operating mechanical ventilation. The reduced energy use from the lights also saves over £700 per year.
The Results
Following the installation of CleanLight the “after” stage of the Air Quality Audit was completed. From this, a significant improvement in air quality was identified when measuring bacteria counts. This not only reduces the potential risk of the transmission of airborne pathogens in the general areas where this is currently little or no ventilation being provided to these spaces. The results in the treatment room also demonstrate that through the use of CleanLight the existing ventilation is being supported and now delivers much better air quality without any further investment or disruption.
In addition to this, the Health Centre will see a reduction of over £700 on their energy bills through the use of more energy-efficient lighting.
The number of colony forming units identified after 72hr incubation:
Plate location | Bacterial colony count (per plate) – CFU |
|
|
| |
Before Cleanlight | Before Cleanlight | After Cleanlight | After Cleanlight |
| |
| CFU | CFU/m3 | CFU | CFU/m3 | % Diff |
Location 1 | 155 | 1645 | 12 | 127 | 92% |
Location 2 | 300* | 3183* | 22 | 233 | 93% |
Location 3 | 214 | 2271 | 7 | 74 | 97% |
Location 4 | 30 | 318 | 1 | 11 | 94% |
Site Average | 175 | 1854 | 11 | 111 | 94% |
“The trust already recognises the need to move toward the use of energy-efficient lighting but to have the added benefit of providing clean air for staff and patients was never something we considered.
The installation of the lighting was quick and simple resulting in minimal disruption to the operations of the centre and the feedback we have had from the staff has been incredibly positive.”
Robert Calderwood
Estates Officer, NHS Scotland
The Bigger Picture
Through the simple replacement of the existing lighting, the CleanLight panels are now providing clean air without the need for the business to invest in installing and operating mechanical ventilation.
