01 March 2006
Control and management of hospital indoor air quality.
Michael Leung, Alan H.S. ChanMed Sci Monit 2006; 12(3): SR17-23 :: ID: 447117
Abstract
Background: The complex hospital environment requires special attentionto ensure healthful indoor air quality (IAQ) to protect patients and healthcare workers against hospital-acquired(nosocomial) infections and occupational diseases. The aim here is to recommend effective guidelinesfor the control and management of hospital IAQ. Material/Methods: The authors have done an extensiveliterature review and conducted comprehensive IAQ assessments in nine hospitals. It is noted that theIAQ measurements are not presented in this paper because of confidentiality. However, the IAQ analysiswas studied carefully in the development of the recommendations given in this paper. Results: The airbornechemical and microbiological contaminants of concern for hospitals have been identified and the majoremission sources, monitoring methods, and exposure limits have been well documented and are reviewedhere. Proper engineering system designs and operations are also reviewed, with recommendations for effectivedilution and removal of the contaminants. The control and mitigation measures cover mechanical ventilation,filtration, differential pressure control, directional airflow control, local exhaust ventilation, andultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) disinfection. Their applications in critical environments,such as operating theatres, isolation rooms, and other typical units, such as outpatient departmentsand laboratories, are also considered. Conclusions: Effective IAQ monitoring methods and mitigation measuressuitable for the hospital environment have been identified. Accordingly, strategies for the implementationof a hospital indoor air quality management system are recommended. Healthcare workers, hospital engineers,and administrative staff can use the above as guidelines to manage and run their hospitals with healthfulindoor air quality.
Keywords: Air Movements, Air Microbiology, Air Pollution, Air Pollution, Indoor - prevention & control, Environment, Controlled, Environmental Monitoring, Facility Design and Construction, Filtration, Guidelines as Topic, Hospital Administrators, Hospitals - standards, Infection Control - methods, Review Literature as Topic, Ventilation
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variation of Medical Comorbidities in Oral Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Study at Jazan ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943884
08 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Foot Structure in Preschool Children Based on Body MassMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943765
15 Apr 2024 : Laboratory Research
The Role of Copper-Induced M2 Macrophage Polarization in Protecting Cartilage Matrix in OsteoarthritisMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943738
07 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Clinical Trials: A Questionnaire-Based Study of 179 Male Third- and Fourt...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943468
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952