Safeguarding Patient Health at the Provident Hospital of Cook County (IL) Emergency Department

Provident Hospital was the first African-American owned hospital in America when it opened its doors in 1891 to serve a predominantly Black population on Chicago’s South Side. Today, Provident is a public hospital under the ownership of Cook County that continues to provide vital care to South Side residents and underserved neighborhoods. 

When its Emergency Department’s aging HVAC system needed an upgrade to comply with Illinois Department of Public Health requirements for indoor air quality in hospitals, we were proud to be selected as the contractor to provide architectural, mechanical, and electrical engineering design and construction administration services.

The $1.2 million project required the addition of a new air-handling unit and associated condenser to the 18-bed Emergency Room area to provide proper ventilation and air pressure, which are essential for eliminating airborne pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infections. We also revised the existing duct work and replaced the exhaust fans to meet strict airflow standards that protect patient health.