Due to infection risks, high demands are set for the air quality in operating theatres. This is normally realised through the use of a downflow plenum. In this article the application of a fluid flow simulation program (CFD), as a design tool for the evaluation of a new ventilation design for operating theatres, is discussed. In this case an alternative downflow plenum has been investigated, that differs from the currently common designs. The use of CFD allowed for the examination of important design criteria and the resulting adjustments to the design.
This paper presents the result of a research carried out on the valuation method of ductworks hygienic condition. Both the methodology and the results of the samplings carried out on the HVAC systems of ten hospitals are presented. For every HVAC system the following characteristics have been checked: typological and building features, air filters characteristics and maintenance programmes. Upon inspections openings carrying out, air dust concentration, dust on the duct surface, total and specific microbial concentration from the outdoor air inlet to the air intake have been sampled.
Nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) is a recognized risk to health care workers in the U.S. In 1994, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Facilities, 1994. (1) The Guidelines included recommendations for design and operation of Mfb isolation rooms.
Ultraviolet light has been demonstrated to effectively de-activate pathogens and all other airborne bacteria, virus and mould species. The technology is already widely used within process users of air, GMP manufacturers and by those with an interest in a high quality indoor air supplies, such as call centres, banks and other high employee density locations. The technology is now being applied to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection at healthcare providers worldwide.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) challenges outnumber all others in the health care industry. Unfortunately, the cost conscious powers that be have failed to make the management of critical infection control systems a top priority.
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