A strategic infrastructure upgrade strengthened environmental control for surgical care.

Piedmont Augusta partnered with our team to enhance the environmental systems serving its Operating Room (OR) suite, advancing the hospital’s commitment to optimal air quality, temperature and humidity—conditions essential for patient safety and successful surgical outcomes. The project included the design and installation of upgraded chilled water equipment and an advanced humidification system to support the highly controlled environment required across the facility’s 17 ORs. This effort reflects a focused investment in ensuring operational readiness and maintaining the highest standards of care within surgical spaces.

Dedicated cooling and targeted equipment upgrades improved precision and performance.

To achieve the required environmental precision, the team implemented a dedicated low temperature chilled water loop, separating all OR air handlers from the main central plant loop and supplying them through new air cooled chillers. This configuration enables more exact temperature and humidity control tailored to surgical needs. Of the five air handling units supporting the OR suite, two were fully replaced, while the remaining three received new cooling coils designed to work with the lower temperature loop. These strategic updates ensure each AHU can meet both peak and steady-state cooling demands, resulting in a more reliable, efficient and appropriately calibrated system.

Enhanced humidification and environmental controls ensure a safe, resilient surgical environment.

Recognizing the critical role of humidity in maintaining sterility and supporting staff and patient comfort, the team integrated a robust humidification system into the upgraded AHUs. This system is engineered to maintain relative humidity above 30% at a consistent 65°F, with advanced controls designed to respond dynamically to real time conditions. Together, the chilled water improvements, dedicated low temperature loop and enhanced humidity management create a resilient and high performance environmental control system. Piedmont Augusta’s OR suite now benefits from a safer, more stable and future ready surgical environment capable of supporting the demands of complex procedures.