The California Department of Health has issued an All Facilities Letter advising healthcare facilities to take additional precautions due to wildfire smoke. The letter recommends checking air ventilation systems to ensure they are set to recirculate air and have clean air filters designed to reduce fine particulates. Facilities should keep windows and doors closed to prevent contamination from outside air. Healthcare providers should identify patients at significant risk from poor air quality, such as the elderly and those with respiratory or heart-related diseases. These patients should be observed more frequently for early signs of compromise. Facilities should consider placing vulnerable individuals in environments with portable ultra-purification air filters.

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