Humidity control in hospitals is essential for patient comfort and the safety of electronic imaging equipment. High relative humidity creates a favorable environment for mold and bacteria growth, increasing the risk of infection. It can also cause electronic equipment to malfunction and damage the building's structure.
Dehumidifiers are used to maintain optimal humidity levels in hospitals by removing excess moisture from the air. This is particularly important in cold environments like operating rooms, where surgeons dress in multiple layers to avoid infection risks. When the relative humidity exceeds 60% in operating rooms, the rate of microorganism growth increases logarithmically. The long and complex structure of hospital ventilation systems allows microorganisms to grow in corners like ducts and vents due to high humidity. This increases infection risk and compromises sterile conditions, putting patient safety at risk during surgery. Therefore, the air sent to operating rooms must be cold and dry. High relative humidity not only endangers patient safety but also causes oxidation of equipment and frequent malfunctions of electronic devices in operating rooms without humidity control.
One of the most affected electronic devices by high humidity is the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to obtain detailed images of tissues and organs. For MRI machines to perform optimally, the environmental conditions must be suitable, including the relative humidity. High relative humidity can cause MRI machines to malfunction and produce faulty images. Humidity in the MRI room can condense on the cold surfaces of the MRI machine, leading to short circuits and malfunctions. Moisture can cause rust on metal parts of the MRI machine, reducing its lifespan and performance. Components in an uncontrolled environment can malfunction due to humidity. Therefore, the MRI room should maintain a dry bulb temperature of 22°C and 40-50% relative humidity. The technical room housing the MRI components should have a dry bulb temperature of 20°C and 50% relative humidity.
Dehumidifiers are also commonly used in hospital pharmacies and laboratories. In these areas, dehumidifiers help store medications and laboratory materials under proper conditions. They preserve the efficacy of medications and the integrity of lab samples. High humidity levels can cause medications to deteriorate or unwanted reactions in lab samples. Dehumidifiers maintain ideal humidity levels in these areas, enhancing medication safety and the accuracy of laboratory results.
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