Advanced air filter system kills pathogens

Rapid City, S.D. (June 11, 2020) – Monument Health recently installed active air purification systems within its Rapid City Hospital air handling equipment to neutralize exhaust fumes from medical helicopters landing on its rooftop helipad.

The Global Plasma Solutions (GPS) Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization technology embedded in these systems also kills pathogens such as the COVID-19 virus. GPS technology has been proven to have a very high effectiveness in killing the SARS Cov-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.

After seeing successful installation of these systems in Rapid City, the team decided to add more GPS purification systems to other locations within Monument Health. To add another layer of protection against COVID-19, Monument Health is installing systems covering all of the patient care areas within the Custer, Lead-Deadwood, Spearfish and Sturgis hospitals. In total Monument Health has invested greater than $250,000 in these air purification systems to improve air quality, remove odor, reduce potential for hospital-acquired infections and help kill common pathogens such as C-difficile, MRSA, E.coli, NoroVirus, and Legionella.

“This is a significant investment that will improve the health and safety of the communities we serve and the physicians and caregivers who care for our patients,” said Dave Ellenbecker, Vice President of Facilities Management and Plant Operations.

Needlepoint bi-polar ionization technology was introduced as Monument Health teams continued to invest in preparing for COVID-19 patients. The equipment is installed within the air handling systems serving most of the patient care areas within the Rapid City Hospital. These locations include the Heart and Vascular Unit, Emergency Department, North Tower Floors 6 -10, Intensive Care Units, Operating Rooms, CATH/EP Labs and COVID-19 surge spaces.

The technology works by breaking up the water molecules in the air, creating ions that treat aerosolized airborne and surface-borne pathogens in the space. These systems continuously push ionized air into the building’s spaces, killing pathogens, protecting patients and caregivers from hospital borne illness.

These GPS units are used at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, as well as other major hospitals across the country.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephany Chalberg
Public Relations Manager
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
605-755-9086
schalberg@monument.health