County nursing home asked to pilot AirShield air‑sanitizing system to measure infections and energy impacts

County officials and public‑health advisers discussed a proposed no‑cost pilot of an air‑sanitizing system (referred to in the meeting as AirShield/Virus Killer) at the Riverside Alms House. The vendor proposes establishing baseline infection and absenteeism metrics, installing the technology and measuring changes in infections, staff absenteeism and energy consumption.

Nick (presenter) introduced the request and explained the vendor’s ask: a virtual meeting with county facility leaders so the vendor can present a pilot scope and request baseline operational data. The vendor proposed a no‑cost pilot that would rely on county staff to supply historic infection control, absenteeism and related reporting data and to work with the vendor on measurement metrics.

Public‑health consultant Tory described the underlying technology as atmospheric plasma — an ionized gas that the vendor says inactivates pathogens in air and on surfaces — and said the technology has been used in wound care and surface sanitization. Tory said the vendor will work with an MIT‑linked analytics partner (referred to in the meeting as Clockwork) to quantify results and help the county assess change in infection rates and absenteeism.

County staff noted Riverside maintains detailed infection control records and staff absenteeism reporting, data the vendor would use to establish a baseline and measure impact. The presenters emphasized the pilot is not a purchase obligation: the vendor seeks operational access and data to validate results in a county facility known to have regular infection‑control reporting.

Next steps. Commissioners and staff agreed to set up an initial virtual scoping meeting with the vendor; Strafford County staff (Ray) was identified as the county point of contact for that follow‑up. The vendor asked for a small set of staff and building contacts (facilities, infection control and operations) to attend the scoping session; the county will arrange participation and then evaluate results if the pilot proceeds.

Why this matters. Congregate care facilities face ongoing infection risks from influenza, RSV and SARS‑CoV‑2; the county’s nursing home environment, with double‑occupancy rooms, increases exposure risk. If the pilot shows measurable reductions in infections and staff absenteeism, the county could consider broader deployment or present local results to other facilities and public‑health bodies. The pilot was presented as no‑cost; any future capital installation would require formal procurement and funding decisions.