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Updated: Oct 24, 2025
A New Portable In Vitro Exposure Cassette for Aerosol Sampling
Published on: February 22, 2019
Evaluating and contextualizing the efficacy of portable HEPA filtration units in small exam rooms
Stephen Pirkle1, Sandy Bozarth1, Natasha Robinson1
1Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Northeast Georgia Health System, Gainesville, GA.
Background:
Ambulatory clinics attend to COVID-19 patients, often in spaces with less than ideal ventilation. Testing and treatments can often include aerosol-generating procedures. Portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration units have been used to remove airborne contaminants in these areas.
Methods:
A particle counter was used to evaluate the effectiveness of portable HEPA filtration units when a proxy airborne contaminant (powder) was actuated into the air. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Airborne Contaminant Removal table served as a basis for initial particle readings at 6 minutes.
Results:
Percent decrease was calculated post powder actuation at the 6-minute and 12-minute mark. There was a statistically significant decrease in smaller particles at the 6-minute and 12-minute mark when the HEPA filtration units were used.
Conclusion:
As an adjunct infection control intervention, portable HEPA filtration units can make outpatient exam rooms safer for patients and staff by decreasing cumulative airborne particles.
