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Windber Hospital Receives Grant for Clean Air Project

UV Angel Clean Air unit installation

Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) has been awarded a grant from the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies to install 35 UV Angel Clean Air units, the latest technology available to eliminate bacteria and viruses from the air. This technology replaces conventional lighting systems with units that treat the air with ultraviolet light to make the environment measurably cleaner by eliminating harmful pathogens, as well as provide light for the room.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support the fact that ultraviolet light has been shown to quickly inactivate the coronavirus, as well as other bacteria and viruses. Prior to receiving funding, when COVID-19 was at its peak, CSSMCW installed three UV Angel Air units in its Emergency Department waiting areas to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. This valuable financial support affords the hospital the ability to expand the installation of units to other high traffic departments, such as the Lab and Radiology, and waiting areas throughout the facility.

CSSMCW Director of Plant Operations John Pudliner said, “The hospital prides itself on maintaining the cleanest and safest environment we can for patients, visitors, and staff. This technology allows us to take that responsibility to the next level, managing air quality to decrease the likelihood of individuals becoming ill. While we’re focused now on COVID-19, post-pandemic the UV Angel Clean Air units will quietly continue to keep patients safe against the cold, flu or any other virus that comes our way.”

The patented UV Angel Clean Air units work by drawing contaminated air particles into a sealed chamber, cycling every .7 seconds. High intensity ultraviolet rays quickly neutralize any harmful particles. Finally, clean, treated air returns back into the room, creating an overall healthier environment. The units also work quietly and efficiently, replacing antiquated fluorescent lighting with LED bulbs that use less energy.

Pictured: Ian Brown and Ben Barclay from Barclay Electric install a UV Angel Clean Air unit in the Radiology waiting room.

About Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber
Founded in 1906, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) is an independent, non-profit acute care hospital in northern Somerset County, bordering Cambria County. The 54-bed hospital shares a campus and collaborates with Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber (CSSIMMW), a private, non-profit biomedical research center. With more than 450 employees, CSSMCW is the fourth largest employer in Somerset County. CSSMCW’s mission is to provide excellence in personalized, quality health care services through innovation, research and education in response to community needs. For more information visit www.windbercare.org.