PGI's air defence falls, Covid-19 ward open to virus attack

Shimona Kanwar | TNN | Apr 14, 2020, 13:21 IST

Representative image

CHANDIGARH: Inefficient use and desi modifications to the the PGI's sci-fi-stuff Covid-19 hospital have injected a fault in its futuristic air-conditioning system designed to filter even the smallest virus. The sealing of diffusers (vents) puts everyone inside at the risk of infection.
After engineers who were part of the hospital project raised a flag, the director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), north region's biggest health facility, called them for a meeting. Project engineers were concerned about the disuse of the system's advanced heating, ventilation, and cooling features that activate magnetic air cleaners for infection control.

An official who attended the meeting said, “Far from using the AC system effectively, the PGI engineers have sealed the diffusers in many areas, posing a risk to the 13 patients and a medical team of more than 50. The air should keep changing, or else the air quality index inside will increase to a dangerous level. If the vents stay shut, it will compromise the functioning of the air cleaners that trap and kill viruses."
Confronted, PGI director Dr Jagat Ram said, “Keeping the temperature to a level preferred by all and suitable to all is an issue. We had to hasten our moving into this hospital. We shall do things on priority, and right now the priority is patient care.” Inside sources say that false ceiling of the ICU (intensive care unit) was damaged to fit the exhaust fans. A member of the PGI faculty, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “It compromised the infection-free environment of critical areas such as the ICU. Exhaust fans are mounted on ply board with temporary wiring, which can damage the sophisticated circadian lightning system or cause short-circuit.”
The engineering experts called to the meeting recommended using automated material transport, nurse-call system, and digital public address to save PPE (personal protection equipment or coveralls), which is in short supply. The transport system can ship medicines and food to the patient and biochemical samples to the laboratory without human contact, but it is not being used. A nurse said, “Why build a modern hospital if the the PGI must still rely on the manual system of collecting samples in boxes.”