People visit healthcare facilities for one very important reason — to improve their health. As a result, they don't expect to visit your healthcare clinic or hospital and come in contact with potentially dangerous substances like mold. It's your responsibility to ensure it does not happen. 

Mold Can Develop Anywhere

Never underestimate the power of mold; remember, it can form almost anywhere. Don't assume that your facility is at a lesser risk of mold growth than another. Excess moisture buildup behind a wall, an air conditioning system that is not effectively regulating humidity levels, and condensation from everyday issues like a minor plumbing leak, are all issues that can happen within a healthcare facility. However, even more important is these are all scenarios that lead to mold development. 

Patient Responsibility

While patients visit a clinic or hospital to improve their health, they do so under the assumption that the healthcare team is doing everything in their power to maintain their health. When a clinic or hospital ignores a mold concern, they are not meeting their end of the agreement. In some instances, this behavior could even be found as negligent, which opens the door to all sorts of legal ramifications. Staying on top of mold concerns is essential. 

Property Damage

Mold isn't just unsightly, it's a problem that can also lead to a great deal of property damage. For example, mold that develops behind the wall can cause damage to the drywall and other structural elements that support the wall. The result of this damage can be especially costly, as not only are their repair or replacement costs involved, but you might also be forced to close all, or a portion, of your facility's exam rooms while the repairs are being performed. 

Mold Inspections

One of the best ways to combat this issue is to have mold inspections performed. As a part of the inspection, a technician will perform a visual inspection of your healthcare facility, as well as collect air and surface samples, and perform moisture mapping to look for pockets of undetected moisture. These inspections are important because they can often locate a problem well before mold forms, which is very important. No matter the size of your facility, mold inspections should be a regular part of your preventive maintenance regimen. 

Do not take your concerns about mold control lightly. Whether you have proven mold concerns or not, it's always a good idea to invest in mold inspections to ensure your facility is safe.