Air From Rooms example essay topic

Airborne Virus Control in Hospitals There are many examples of infectious aerosols affecting occupants of health care facilities. It is expected, patients are often the main source of infectious cases, and their presence is a potential hazard to other patients and to employee. Certain infectious such as tuberculosis, chicken pox, measles, and Germen measles can be spread easily in air. Employees and visitors can also be the reason of airborne infection on patients. Airborne droplets often carry bacteria such as S. aureus, S epidermises, and gram-negative rods, which are common causes of postoperative wound infections.

Cases of infection with Aspergillus have been reported in immunocompromised patients. So the activity as building construction and renovation that may be removed from the patient care area has been shown to increase the airborne concentration of fungus spores and the incidence of aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Bacterial Infection Examples of bacteria that are highly infectious and are airborne and also travel threw water are Mycobacterium, tuberculosis, and Legionella (Legionnaire's disease). Wells (1934) showed that droplets or in agents of 5 mm or less in size can remain airborne indefinitely. This is because bacteria are typically present in colony forming units that are larger than 1 mm. Some authorities recommend the use of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters having test filtering efficiencies of 99.97% in certain areas.

Viral Infection Examples of viruses that are airborne are chicken pox, Rubella, and measles. Epidemiological evidence and other studies indicate that many of the airborne that transmit infection are submicron in size. There is no know method to effectively eliminate 100% of the viable particles. Ultra low penetration (UP LA) filters provide the greatest efficiency available. Attempts to deactivate viruses with ultraviolet light and chemical sprays have not proven effective enough to be recommended by most codes as a primary infection measure. Isolation rooms are used to prevent the spread of airborne viruses in the health care environment.

Molds Evidence indicates that some molds such as Aspergillus be fatal to advanced leukemia, bone marrow transplant, and other immunocompromised patients. Prevent the entering and escaping of infectious aerosols The most fundamental principle for airborne infection control is the prevention of contaminated air to enter to or escape from a room. This can be done by these two methods. Seal the room. Differential air pressure can be maintained only in an entirely sealed room. It is important to obtain a reasonable close fit of all doors and seal all wall and floor penetrations between pressurized areas.

The opening of a door between two areas reduces any existing pressure differential between them to such a degree that its effectiveness is nullified. Pressurize the room to prevent infiltrated contaminant. This pressure differential causes air to flow out the room through various leakage areas. The outward air prevents the contaminated air to enter the room. The negative pressure difference is obtained by supplying less air to the area than is exhausted from it. The room should have a permanently installed visual mechanism to constantly monitor the pressure status of the room when occupied.

Remove infectious aerosols from air Sources of infectious aerosols are both from outside and inside of the room. The microbial level in operating room air is proportional to the number of people moving about in the room. Recirculation air shall be filtered by high efficiency air filter as recommended in table with the total air change rate as recommended in table 2. Outdoor air, before introduces to the room, shall also be recirculation air. Dilute the contaminated room air General ventilation maintains air quality by two processes: removal and dilution of airborne contaminants. Uncontaminated supply air mixes with contaminated air, which is subsequently removed from the room by the exhaust system.

These processes removes the concentration of droplet nuclei in the room air. The outdoor air should be supplied as recommended in the table 2 and should be filtrated by air filter recommended in table 1. Prevent micro-organism growth in the room To control micro-organism aerosols, it is important to always keep room relative humidity below 60%. Besides the air, the surface of the room must not wet or damp to prevent micro-organism growth on the surface. The wall, floor, ceiling, door, window should be made of smooth surface, easy t clean material. Air duct and pipe should not pass the room without ceiling.

Lighting fixture should have scaled cover. Disinfect the air Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation, was extensively studied in the 1930's. UV radiation is defined as the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum Described by wavelengths from 100 to 400 nm. For convenience of classification, the UV spectrum has been separated into three different wavelength bands. Commercially available UV lamps used for germicidal purposes are low-pressure mercury vapor lamps that emit radiant energy in the UV-C range, predominantly at a wavelength of 253.7 nm. In duct irradiation systems, UV lamps are inside ducts that remove air from rooms to disinfect the air before it is circulated.

When UVI duct systems are properly designed, installed, and maintained, high levels of UV radiation may be produced in duct work. The only potential for human exposure to this occurs during maintenance operations. Operating Room Studies or the operating room air distribution devices and observation of installations in industrial clean room indicate that delivery of the airborne of the air from the ceiling, with a downward movement to several exhaust inlets located on the opposite walls, is probably the most effective air movement pattern for maintaining the concentration of contamination at an acceptable level. Operating room suites are typically in use no more than 8 to 12 hr's per day. For energy conservation, the air-condition system should allow a reduction in the air supplied to some or all of the operating rooms when possible.

Positive space pressure must be maintained at reduced air volumes to ensure sterile conditions. Intensive Care Unit These units serve ill patients, from postoperative to coronary patients. Air pressure should be maintained positive with respect to any adjoining by supplying 15% excess air. A variable range temperature capability of 24 to 27 c, a relative humidity of 30% minimum and 60% maximum. Filter efficiencies should be in accordance with table 1. Conclusion Hospitals are risk environments for airborne infection, because infection sources and immunocompromised people are at the same place.

Currently, hospital's are under programs to obtain certification for hospital quality system, which is called Hospital Accreditation or HA. Accordingly, hospitals are encouraged to promote safe and healthy environment fro patients, relatives, visitors, and employee. However, most hospitals lack knowledge of guidelines to effectively implement the airborne infection control measures. This paper included basic knowledge of airborne infection, science of airborne infection control, and the measures to effectively control infection and the specific design criteria for several functions in hospitals.