“I contacted Nederman by phone and discovered they had a representative in Houston,” Dr. Chu said. “I called and met with a representative the same day at my office. Ultimately, he and his HVAC installer were able to determine that it would be possible to install source capture aerosol control arms for our office in an effort to create a negative pressure environment for our operatories if we could exhaust the aerosol through a four-inch hole perforated through an exterior wall to outside air. I also contacted my dental equipment repair technician to ensure that the air/water separator on the vacuum pump could be tied into the Nederman evacuation system.”

During the process Dr. Chu also enclosed operatories with floor to ceiling glass doors, replaced tile floors and carpeting with seamless linoleum flooring, sanded and resealed the hardwood waiting room floor, and installed new smooth maple veneer custom cabinetry and sterilizable quartzite countertops to create more storage for personal protective equipment and supplies and give staff surfaces that are easier to clean. He also discontinued cleaning of unsealed instruments in the ultrasonic bath in sterilization, covered the open drain in the supply room with plastic sheeting and duct tape until an air/water separator could be installed and negotiated for lease renewal with stipulation that he would be able to perforate a four-inch hole to an exterior wall in a supply room.

Dr. Chu said his remodel was well-received by patients and helped his post-shutdown recovery. “Our staff members know they are as safe as possible and our patients understand this as well,” he said. “Hopefully, the level of infection control in the practice is a reflection of the quality of care we are providing in preventive and restorative dentistry for our patients.”

For more information on creating a negative pressure environment, visit the American Society of Healthcare Engineers website.