Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
A numerical study of ventilation strategies for infection risk mitigation in general inpatient wards
Aerial dispersion of human exhaled microbial contaminants and subsequent contamination of surfaces is a potential route for infection transmission in hospitals. Most general hospital wards have ventilation systems that drive air and thus contaminants from the patient areas towards the corridors. This study investigates the transport mechanism and deposition patterns of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) within a typical six bedded general inpatient ward cubicle through numerical simulation. It demonstrates that both air change and exhaust airflow rates have significant effects on not only the airflow but also the particle distribution within a mechanically ventilated space. Moreover, the location of an infected patient within the ward cubicle is crucial in determining the extent of infection risk to other ward occupants. Hence, it is recommended to provide exhaust grilles in close proximity to a patient, preferably above each patient’s bed. To achieve infection prevention and control, high exhaust airflow rate is also suggested. Regardless of the ventilation design, all patients and any surfaces within a ward cubicle should be regularly and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove microbial contamination. The outcome of this study can serve as a source of reference for hospital management to better ventilation design strategies for mitigating the risk of infection.
A numerical study of ventilation strategies for infection risk mitigation in general inpatient wards
Aerial dispersion of human exhaled microbial contaminants and subsequent contamination of surfaces is a potential route for infection transmission in hospitals. Most general hospital wards have ventilation systems that drive air and thus contaminants from the patient areas towards the corridors. This study investigates the transport mechanism and deposition patterns of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) within a typical six bedded general inpatient ward cubicle through numerical simulation. It demonstrates that both air change and exhaust airflow rates have significant effects on not only the airflow but also the particle distribution within a mechanically ventilated space. Moreover, the location of an infected patient within the ward cubicle is crucial in determining the extent of infection risk to other ward occupants. Hence, it is recommended to provide exhaust grilles in close proximity to a patient, preferably above each patient’s bed. To achieve infection prevention and control, high exhaust airflow rate is also suggested. Regardless of the ventilation design, all patients and any surfaces within a ward cubicle should be regularly and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove microbial contamination. The outcome of this study can serve as a source of reference for hospital management to better ventilation design strategies for mitigating the risk of infection.
A numerical study of ventilation strategies for infection risk mitigation in general inpatient wards
Build. Simul.
Satheesan, Manoj Kumar (Autor:in) / Mui, Kwok Wai (Autor:in) / Wong, Ling Tim (Autor:in)
Building Simulation ; 13 ; 887-896
01.08.2020
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
ventilation , bioaerosol dispersion , indoor air quality (IAQ) , infection risk , hospital general ward , computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Engineering , Building Construction and Design , Engineering Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer , Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution , Monitoring/Environmental Analysis
A numerical study of ventilation strategies for infection risk mitigation in general inpatient wards
| Springer Verlag | 2020
Measurement of ventilation and airborne infection risk in large naturally ventilated hospital wards
| British Library Online Contents | 2013
| Engineering Index Backfile | 1939