Hospitals and outpatient facilities are under increasing pressure to reduce costs while improving patient outcomes. Yet many still operate with outdated systems when it comes to one of the most important and overlooked factors in healthcare environments: indoor air quality (IAQ).
In many healthcare settings, IAQ is treated as a compliance issue rather than a strategic opportunity.
Most facilities monitor basic ventilation requirements but rarely track other important factors like particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), humidity, or carbon dioxide levels. Often, air quality issues only come to light when a room feels uncomfortable or someone complains about a smell. But that mindset is starting to shift with new research supporting the importance of deeper attention to IAQ.
Much like handwashing was once met with skepticism before becoming a standard practice, IAQ is being increasingly recognized as a vital part of patient care. More health systems are beginning to see that clean air isn’t just about comfort – it’s essential to infection control, staff performance, and overall facility effectiveness.
A Health and Safety Issue with Real Consequences
Studies show that IAQ has a clear impact on clinical outcomes. Healthcare-associated infections cost the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $28 to $45 billion each year. While contact and surface transmission are often discussed, airborne pathogens are a growing concern, particularly in operating rooms, protective environment rooms, and patient areas where people may have compromised immune systems. Even small improvements in air quality can help lower infection rates and support faster recovery. Cleaner air can also reduce fatigue and headaches in staff, helping them stay healthy and focused.
Why IAQ Is Still Overlooked
Many healthcare facilities still manage energy use and building systems through manual processes. Utility bills are paid quickly without much analysis, and energy performance is tracked with basic spreadsheets. Facility teams often work separately from clinical departments, which makes it difficult to connect building performance with patient care. This lack of visibility keeps IAQ improvements off the radar, even when they could lead to measurable health and financial benefits.
New Technology Is Changing the Game
Thanks to more accessible technology, hospitals can now monitor and manage air quality more effectively than ever. Advancements in automation and controls are empowering facility staff to maintain superior IAQ with less guesswork. Some of the key tools now available include:
● Smart sensors that track humidity, carbon dioxide, particulates, and VOCs throughout a facility. These tools alert staff when conditions are outside ideal ranges.
● Automated building management systems that respond to sensor data by adjusting ventilation, temperature, or filtration.
● HEPA filters and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation that remove or deactivate airborne pathogens. These systems are especially useful in isolation rooms and critical care areas.
● Demand-controlled ventilation that uses occupancy data to adjust air flow. For example, when sensors detect a crowded waiting room, the system increases ventilation to reduce airborne contaminants.
Connecting Building Health with Patient Health
Academic medical centers are beginning to examine how IAQ relates to patient outcomes, especially in oncology and other high-risk departments. The early results are promising. Better air quality may reduce post-surgical complications, improve comfort for patients undergoing treatment, and even decrease readmission rates. Cleaner air also benefits staff. Fewer airborne irritants can lead to fewer sick days and better morale, both of which are important as hospitals face workforce shortages and burnout concerns.
Moving from Reactive to Proactive
Healthcare leaders have an opportunity to move from a reactive approach to building operations to one that is proactive and informed by data. Smarter IAQ management can help hospitals:
● Reduce infection risks and improve recovery times
● Enhance staff health and reduce absenteeism
● Use energy more efficiently and cut unnecessary costs
● Support better decisions around capital improvement planning
As sensors and automation become more affordable, even smaller facilities can install more technologically advanced systems that make a measurable difference in patient and staff health and satisfaction.
The Bottom Line
IAQ is a critical part of creating healthier, more efficient healthcare environments. With accessible technology and better visibility into what’s happening inside their buildings, healthcare teams can identify issues and make data-informed decisions on real-time conditions.
The tools to manage IAQ in a smarter way are already here, and the return on investment, both in dollars and in lives, is becoming more apparent. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities that act now to prioritize indoor air quality will be better positioned to meet the inevitable regulatory changes, the volatility of changing weather patterns that affect IAQ, and improve the care environment for patients and staff alike.
About Renée Jacobs
Renée Jacobs, Healthcare Business Development Manager at Distech Controls, Acuity Inc. is a FASHE, Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, and Certified Healthcare Constructor with more than 30 years and a billion dollars in experience in healthcare construction, facilities management, and strategic sales in building technologies and sustainability.
