Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis has become the first hospital in Oregon to receive the IRIS Healthcare Air Quality Seal of Recognition from the International Respiratory Infection Society.
The designation recognizes the hospital’s efforts to improve surgical safety through enhanced air quality measures. Good Sam installed Illuvia air purification units in several of its operating rooms, a move the hospital says has led to significant reductions in surgical site infection rates. The technology operates continuously and tracks airborne particles it removes, giving surgical teams data to guide improvements in their environments.
Michelle Mitchell, director of Perioperative Services, said the technology is part of a broader effort to address infections.
“We adopted this technology as part of a multimodal approach to reducing infections,” she said. “The ability to assess environmental factors has helped us create safer conditions for patients and staff.”
The IRIS Seal of Recognition program evaluates hospitals through an online assessment and an on-site audit. Facilities must demonstrate measurable improvements in air quality and renew the designation annually.
“This recognition affirms our commitment to maintaining exceptional air quality in our operating rooms,” said Sheri Phillips, the hospital’s Infection Prevention program manager. “Our use of Illuvia technology has strengthened both surgical safety and environmental quality.”