Table 6.
Strategies for healthy outcomes for maintenance activities and interventions.
| Criterion | Criticism | Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| room dimension and layout—type of intervention | In relation to the hard or soft maintenance activities to be done, | it is requested they pay attention to the healthcare flows and define all the useful actions for reducing the potential risks for the users. |
| construction materials—materials’ certifications | If the designers have not selected certificated materials (or the healthcare organization has not imposed any certificated materials), | it is suggested they select certificated materials. Where it is not possible, it is necessary to guarantee adequate air rate change, especially in the first months after laying, and to avoid high solar exposure. |
| construction materials—materials’ performances/materials laying/materials treatment | If the designers have not selected durable materials and surfaces that facilitate cleaning and maintenance activities (or the healthcare organization has not imposed specific materials), | it is suggested they introduce adequate finishing materials, able to be cleaned with cleaning products with low VOC concentrations. Where it is not possible, it is necessary to guarantee adequate air rate change, especially in the first months after laying, and to avoid high solar exposure. |
| furniture—furniture installation | If the furniture has not been installed correctly, | it is requested they guarantee adequate air rate change, especially in the first months after furniture installation, and avoid high solar exposure. |
| ventilation system—exchange rate | If it is not respect the air exchange rate, | it is requested they improve air exchange rate and/or improve natural ventilation strategies with window openings. |
| ventilation system—air flow | If the air flow rate between inlet and discharge is not maintained, | it is suggested they improve the adequate air rate changes. |
| ventilation system—pressure | If the pressure is negative, | any action should be taken into consideration, starting from existing legislation that does not list any specific requirement. In any case, it is suggested they have air intake systems near the door and window openings. |
| maintenance activity—ventilation system/actions after installation | If the ventilation system has not been cleaned properly, | it is suggested they use proper detergents, and guarantee adequate ventilation for a minimum of 72 h after products’ installation/intervention. |
| maintenance activity—room occupancy | If the room needs to regularly occupied by users a few days after the interventions, | it is requested they guarantee adequate air rate change, especially in the first days after the intervention. |
| cleaning activity—room cleaning after intervention/air change after (extra-ordinary) cleaning activity | In general, it is expected that adequate cleaning activities have been done correctly and cleaning products have been adequate for each surface. If it is not, | it is expected that the cleaning products are adequate for each surface, responding to the performance of the material. |
| If an adequate air change has not been guaranteed in the room after the (extra-ordinary) cleaning activity, | it is requested they improve the natural or mechanical air rate changes before the use of the users. | |
| cleaning activity—windows washing | If the windows are not washed with adequate detergents, | it is requested they use adequate products for the surface, responding to the performance of the material. In any case, adequate air change can reduce the VOC emissions. |