Aspergillus fumigatus--a ubiquitous foe

Aspergillus, a fungus whose spores are ubiquitous in the environment, and are normally found in air, can be a significant issue in healthcare premises, and especially in hospital ventilation systems. Here Andrew Poplett, an engineer with over 28 years' healthcare building services engineering experience, and an Authorised Engineer for both specialist ventilation and water quality, explains its occurrence, spread, and prevalence. He discusses how estates and facilities personnel, in conjunction with their clinical and infection control counterparts, can act to control and manage Aspergillus, and thus help safeguard patients, staff, and visitors, in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, against its negative impact on health.