The Hospital acquired infection scenario
Hospital Indoor Air Quality
A Patient’s Death Threat
Many studies show
that bio-aerosols (micro-organism
conglomerates in suspension in
the air) play an important role on
the acquisition of infections being
calculated as responsible for 10
to 20% of those cases.
The pathogens can be
sprayed in many ways, via natural
or forced ventilation system,
water spray, skin scales released
by patients and medical staff,
coughing and sneezing . Studies also show that surgical
staff members can liberate between 1,500 to 50,000
bacteria per minute and those pathogens may stay in
suspension in the air for long periods of time. Studies reveal
that 80 to 90% of all surgical wound infections are related to
bad air quality and that cleaner air translates into in lower
infection risk.
Studies on hospital acquired infections began
more than 150 years ago with Ignaz Semmelweis and
Florence Nightingale and contributed to the advance of
microbiologic and prophylactic actions in hospital
enviroments. Despite the increase of asepsis practices,
hospital infections are still considered a public health
concern.
Hospital indoor air, a micro-organism
contamination mean
