An outbreak of airborne nosocomial varicella
1982
Pediatrics
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 70
Pages 550-556
Author(s): Gustafson T. L., Lavely G. B., Brawner Jr., E. R., Hutcheson Jr., R. H., Wright, P. F., Schaffner, W.
An outbreak of nosocomial varicella was traced to airborne spread from an immunocompromised child hospitalized from Nov 11-19, 1980. Seventy potentially susceptible children were hospitalized on the ward during that period. Although the index patient remained in strict room isolation throughout his hospital stay, eight of these patients contracted varicella. The afternoon of November 12 was the...
Added August 2012
Efficacy of high-efficiency particulate air filtration in preventing aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies
2002
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 23
Pages 525-531
Author(s): Hahn, T., Cummings, K. M., Michalek, A. M., Lipman, B. J., Segal, B. H., McCarthy Jr., P. L.
Invasive aspergillosis is the most serious type of infections caused by the fungus Aspergillus, affecting organs such as heart, lung, brain, and kidneys and causing symptoms such as chest pain, cough, fever, joint pain, shortness of breath, and unintentional weight loss. The fungus aspergillus is widely spread in the nature and rarely causes problems in healthy individuals.
Added August 2012
Nosocomial Transmission of Tuberculosis Associated with a Draining Abscess
1990
Journal of Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 161
Pages 286-295
Author(s): Hutton, M. D., Stead, W. W., Cauthen, G. M., Bloch, A. B., Ewing, W. M.
Nine secondary cases of tuberculosis and 59 tuberculin skin test conversions occurred after exposure to a hospitalized patient with a large tuberculous abscess of the hip and thigh. Among 442 tuberculin-negative hospital employees, the relative risk of skin test conversion associated with recalled exposure to the patient was 14.0 (95% confidence limits, 6.8, 28.7). Four of 5 surgical suite...
Added August 2012
Ventilation of wards and nosocomial outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome among healthcare workers
2003
Chinese Medical Journal
Journal Article
Issue 9
Volume 116
Pages 1293-1297
Author(s): Jiang, S. P., Huang, L. W., Chen, X. L., Wang, J. F., Wu, W., Yin, S. M., Chen, W., Zhan, J., Yan, L., Ma, L., Li, J., Huang, Z.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus called SARS-associated coronavirus. The disease may cause flu-like symptoms including fever (100.4 F or higher), myalgia, lethargy symptoms, cough, and sore throat. Most patients may develop pneumonia. Environmental contamination is an important factor contributing to SRAS transmission.
Added August 2012
Microbiological surveillance of hospital ventilation systems in departments at high risk of nosocomial infections
2006
Journal of Preventive Medicine And Hygiene
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 47
Pages 105-109
Author(s): Crimi, P., Argellati, F., Macrina, G., Tinteri, C., Copello, L., Rebora, D., Romania, L., Rizzetto, R.
Bacteria exist in large numbers in moist, organic environments and are also found in the air, in water, and on surfaces, particularly in healthcare environments. Patients who are considered high risk are more susceptible to infection by some of these bacteria given the nature of their illness and the treatment they undergo.
Added October 2012
Role of ventilation in airborne transmission of infectious agents in the built environment - a multidisciplinary systematic review
2007
Indoor Air
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 17
Pages 2-18
Author(s): Li, Y., Leung, G.M., Tang, J.W., Yang, X., Chao, C.Y., Lin, J.Z., Lu, J.W., Nielsen, P.V., Niu, J., Qian, H., Sleigh, A.C., Su, H.J., Sundell, J., Wong, T.W., Yuen, P.L.
The early 2000s saw the surfacing of severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, the large-scale return of tuberculosis or TB, an influenza pandemic, and the intentional dispersion of diseases like anthrax – all of which are highly infectious airborne diseases. Authors noted that densely populated urban areas and offices, schools, other buildings, aircraft, and other mass transport vehicles (where people spent most of their time) were ideal for the transmission of SARS.
Added October 2012
Hospital Ventilation and Risk for Tuberculous Infection in Canadian Health Care Workers
2000
Annals of Internal Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 133
Pages 779-789
Author(s): Menzies, D., Fanning, A., Yuan, L., FitzGerald, J.M.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an occupational hazard for healthcare workers. It is a bacterial infection of lungs and other body parts caused by strains of mycobacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Typical symptoms include chronic cough with bold-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and so on. Tuberculosis can cause significant morbidity and death. It is usually spread by air when infected people transmit their saliva through air by coughing and sneezing.
Added October 2012
Control of an outbreak of nosocomial aspergillosis by laminar air-flow isolation.
1989
Journal of Hospital Infections
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 14
Pages 89094
Author(s): Barnes, RA, Rogers, TR
Laminar air flow is a system for circulating filtered air in healthcare facilities. It is very relevant to the issue of Indoor Air Quality and the impact on potential spread of infections. This paper focuses on understanding how using Laminar Air Flow (LAF) can reduce the spread of hospital acquired infections in the context of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) patients.
Added October 2012
The ventilation of multiple-bed hospital wards: Review and analysis
2008
American Journal of Infection Control
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 36
Pages 250-9
Author(s): Beggs, C.B., Kevin, G., Noakes, C.J., Hathway, A., Andrewsleigh, P.
Ventilation is a key concern in hospitals, however this has received less attention in the context of hospital wards, as compared to operating theaters or isolation rooms which have a high risk of infections. In many countries in the world where private rooms are not yet the norm, the issue of ventilation in multi-bed rooms is a critical concern. This paper undertakes a review of guidelines in the UK and the US around this issue.
Added October 2012
Decreasing Airborne Contamination Levels in High-Risk Hospital Areas Using a Novel Mobile Air-Treatment Unit
2007
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Journal Article
Volume 28
Pages 1181-1186
Author(s): Bergeron, V., Reboux, G., Poirot, J.L., Laudinet, B.S.
To evaluate the performance of a new mobile air-treatment unit that uses nonthermal-plasma reactors for lowering the airborne bioburden in critical hospital environments and reducing the risk of nosocomial infection due to opportunistic airborne pathogens, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. Tests were conducted in 2 different high-risk hospital areas: an operating room under simulated conditions and...
Added October 2012
Impact of Environmental Factors on Efficacy of Upper-Room Air Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Inactivating Airborne Mycobacteria
2005
Environmental ScienceTechnology
Journal Article
Issue 24
Volume 39
Pages 9656-9664
Author(s): Xu, P., Kujundzic, E., Peccia, J., Schafer, M., Moss, G., Hernandez, M., Miller, S.
Hospitals are high exposure environments where transmission of infectious diseases is a large concern. To prevent this Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems are used as an engineering control. A common application is upper-room irradiation for which germicidal lamps are suspended from ceilings/ attached to walls, while the bottom of the lamps are shielded to direct radiation. The principle is to maximize UV radiation exposure to airborne microorganisms in the upper part of the room while minimizing radiation exposure to patients in the lower part.
Added October 2012
Effect of ultraviolet germicidal lights installed in office ventilation systems on workers' health and well-being: Double-blind, multiple crossover trial
2003
The Lancet
Journal Article
Issue 9398
Volume 362
Pages 1785-1790
Author(s): Menzies, D., Popa, J., Hanley, J.A., Rand, T., Milton, D. K.
Most commercial buildings in North America are mechanically ventilated with sealed exterior shells. In this type of highly automatically controlled indoor environment, microbial contamination of the HVAC system often contributes to building-related illness and symptoms in building occupants, such as outbreaks of rhinitis, humidifier fever, asthma, hypersensitivity problems, and so on. Contamination of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa has been found on various parts of HVAC systems such as air cooling units, cooling coils, and drip pans.
Added October 2012
Outbreak of Invasive Aspergillus Infection in Surgical Patients, Associated with a Contaminated Air-Handling System
2003
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Journal Article
Issue 6
Volume 37
Pages 786-793
Author(s): Lutz, B. D., Jin, J., Rinaldi, M. G., Wickes, B. L., Huycke, M.
Surgical Site Infections are a prominent concern Operating Room design. In this study a specific outbreak of aspergillus infection in a hospital was investigated and linked back to the air quality conditions in the O.R. The study is significant because typically Aspergillus species are ubiquitous thermotolerant molds that rarely cause invasive infection.
Added November 2012
Children’s Experience Regarding the Quality of Their Hospital Stay: The Development of an Assessment Questionnaire for Children
2011
Journal of Nursing Care Quality
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 26
Pages 364-370
Author(s): Chappuis, M., Vannay-Bouchiche, C.., Fluckiger, M., Monnier, M., Cathieni, F., Terra, R., Piot-Ziegler, C.
Pediatric care quality in Switzerland is evaluated mainly through the parents’ opinion. There are no assessment questionnaires for children. However, research indicates that often, what the parents think does not match their children’s evaluation of the quality of care and that they are often low to moderately correlated. This study examines on the development of a questionnaire assessing the satisfaction of children with their hospital stay.
Added December 2013
Effects of low humidity and high air velocity in a heated room on physiological responses and thermal comfort after bathing: An experimental study
2009
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 46
Pages 172-180
Author(s): Hashiguchi, N., Tochihara, T.
Winter often brings low humidity and high air flow from HVAC systems that may cause health-related issues for patients and can impact how comfortable they are before and after a bath.
Added January 2014
Unpleasant and pleasant memories of intensive care in adult mechanically ventilated patients—Findings from 250 interviews
2011
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 27
Pages 76-84
Author(s): Samuelson, K. A. M.
Patients’ perspectives on the intensive care experience are essential to improve patients’ comfort and well-being during and after a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). This research approach was unique as the author used data from a large number of patient interviews (n = 250) and a validated qualitative content analysis technique to create themes from the data. One of the themes included—environmental distress—described aspects of the physical environment that patients remembered as causing distress.
Added January 2014
Servicescape: Physical environment of hospital pharmacies and hospital pharmacists’ work outcomes
2008
Health Care Management Review
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 33
Pages 156-168
Author(s): Lin, B.Y.-J., Leu, W.-J., Breen, G.-M., Lin, W.-H.
Researchers have studied the healthcare work environment from a number of angles, from an organizational behavior perspective honing in on motivation and reward, to an occupational and environmental perspective concerned with comfort and ergonomics, to a pathogenic perspective interested in exposure to disease. The idea of a “servicescape” has arisen in healthcare marketing to investigate the impact of the physical environment of service settings on employees’ psychological states and perceptions.
Added February 2014
Nurses’ Perceptions of How physical Environment Affects Medication Errors in Acute Care Settings
2011
Applied Nursing Research
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 24
Pages 229–237
Author(s): Mahmood, A., Chaudhury, H., Valente, M.
Medication errors in hospitals occur for a number of reasons, stemming from staff and organizational issues to aspects of the physical environment. Errors include omissions, giving the wrong type or amount of medication, and giving the wrong patient unneeded medication. Research has indicated that a significant amount of these errors are avoidable.
Added February 2014
Operating Room HVAC Setback Strategies
2011
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Monograph
Author(s): Love, C.
Operating rooms (ORs) have significant HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) standards and requirements, yet the rooms tend not to be in use upwards of 40% of the time. As a result, an excessive amount of energy is wasted to maintain air standards for no reason during that period of time. Hospitals have an opportunity to save a significant amount of energy by employing HVAC setback strategies, which minimize the amount of air supplied to the rooms when they are unoccupied. The decision of whether or not to employ a setback strategy for a hospital’s ORs requires an assessment of staff usage, existing conditions, and associated costs.
Added March 2014
Medical Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tank Storage
2012
American Society for Healthcare Engineering
Monograph
Author(s): McLaughlin, S., Dagenais, D.
There are particular requirements for storing medical gas cylinders as well as requirements for bulk tank storage in healthcare settings; these regulatory requirements exist specifically for cylinders that are not in use. In use refers to cylinders being used by a patient, or attached to equipment and ready for immediate use, or located in patient rooms about to be used. Requirements vary depending on the total amount of cubic feet of gas needing to be stored, with the most stringent regulations for more than 3,000 cubic feet of gas, less stringent requirements for 300-3,000 cubic feet of gas, and the least stringent requirements for less than 300 cubic feet of gas. These requirements are in place to reduce the risk of accident and injury.
Added March 2014
