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I'm interested in others thoughts about managing Engineering Teams in an environment where there has been a COVID-19 patient. In particular, we have been asked by our client to change the HEPA filters on an Isolation Unit extract system, we know from press releases and the Hospital Trusts website, that there has been a patient with the virus. I am personally of the opinion that, the HEPA filters should be changed and disposed of by a specialist disposal company. Can someone give me guidance or advice on this matter please?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Would you have changed these particular filters if Covid-19 had not appeared? I would say probably yes even though patients could have been through with other communicable diseases e.g. TB, Pneumonia, Measles, Meningitis..... Seek guidance from PHE as to the virus viability outside of the human body, prescribe cleaning / control measures and remember everyone is within their right to refuse any task they consider unsafe. Given the issues with air handling systems at Glasgow I would presume most hospital infection control managers should have some very useful information that could be utilised.
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 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Would you have changed these particular filters if Covid-19 had not appeared? I would say probably yes even though patients could have been through with other communicable diseases e.g. TB, Pneumonia, Measles, Meningitis..... Seek guidance from PHE as to the virus viability outside of the human body, prescribe cleaning / control measures and remember everyone is within their right to refuse any task they consider unsafe. Given the issues with air handling systems at Glasgow I would presume most hospital infection control managers should have some very useful information that could be utilised.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Originally Posted by: Roundtuit  Would you have changed these particular filters if Covid-19 had not appeared? I would say probably yes even though patients could have been through with other communicable diseases e.g. TB, Pneumonia, Measles, Meningitis..... Seek guidance from PHE as to the virus viability outside of the human body, prescribe cleaning / control measures and remember everyone is within their right to refuse any task they consider unsafe. Given the issues with air handling systems at Glasgow I would presume most hospital infection control managers should have some very useful information that could be utilised. Thank you for your response, this isn't a task we would carry out under normal circumstances, we do look after all their other fans and filters, but this one was never on our contract for the very nature of where it is and what it could contain.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Usually HEPA filters which have been used in connection with human diseases are disinfected by fumigation. Some filter systems have a quick change facility which means that they be charged with a limited risk of exposure. It have also heard of HEPA filters being sealed with hair lacquer before being changed. Of the diseases mentioned by Roundtuit, Coronavirus is the least likely to pose any sort of issue. Are you guys trained to change filters?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Has the AHU filter unit for the isolation room not been fitted with a bag in bag out system? A discussion with the FM Management and Infection Control team should be on the cards.
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