Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic received $40 million to launch an air-quality improvement research project.
The project is part of the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health’s Breathe program, which aims to advance real-time monitoring and enhancement of indoor air quality in hospitals, according to an Oct. 3 system news release.
Airborne contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, mold spores and allergens pose risks in densely populated indoor environments like the emergency department. Improving air quality can mitigate the spread of infectious disease and improve respiratory health.
For the project, Mayo Clinic plans to use combined biosensor technology, artificial intelligence algorithms, air quality assessment and prompt intervention. This will allow the system to detect aerosolized pathogens and pollutants in real time and adjust air filtration parameters accordingly. The initiative will be deployed at campuses across Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and initially focus on EDs.
The program will launch in three phases over the next five years.
