Temperature, humidity, and climate control in hospital units: A clue for understanding the seasonality of healthcare-associated pathogens

Limaylla, Dayanne Conislla; Silva, Marina de Oliveira; Fortaleza, Carlos Magno Castelo Branco

doi:10.1017/ice.2019.97

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Likely most hospitals with related conditions have been using similar pollution reduction mechanism as indicated in systematic review. 15,16…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of the indoor air bacterial profile in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Girma¹,

Lamore

2022

SAGE Open Medicine

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Objective: Microorganisms are one of the main indoor air contaminants. In a hospital setting, a range of hospital-acquired infectious diseases are caused due to indoor air pollution. Studies conducted on hospital patients and healthcare workers revealed that indoor air pollution is causing more severe health problems than outdoor air pollution. Thus, this study aimed to determine the bacterial indoor air quality in Jimma University Specialized Hospital in southwest Ethiopia. Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from late May to October 2020. Indoor air samples were collected through a passive method by exposing prepared sample plates for prescheduled exposure time, and bacterial species were identified using morphology and biochemical tests. Result: Based on the findings, neither of the wards showed a similar microbial concentration. Among the studied wards, the minimum and the maximum bacterial distribution ranged from 280 to 6369 cfu/m3, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp., Proteus spp., and Streptococcus spp. were bacterial isolates. Statistically, the concentration of the bacteria in all the studied wards was tested significantly different ( p ⩽ 0.001). Conclusion: Among studied wards, the emergency outpatient ward showed a maximum bacterial concentration in contrast to the minor operating room. Based on the criteria of the World Health Organization on hospital-acquired infections, studied wards were highly contaminated.

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“…Likely most hospitals with related conditions have been using similar pollution reduction mechanism as indicated in systematic review. 15,16…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of the indoor air bacterial profile in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Girma¹,

Lamore

2022

SAGE Open Medicine

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“…Details of the sampling time, and the position and height of the sampler when samples were taken, were generally imprecise or not reported. Third, locations of the hospitals, humidity, temperature and season have recognised impacts on microbial contamination of indoor air [ 24 , 29 , 59 ]; these factors were considered in relatively few of the studies. Lastly, as standard deviations of microbe concentrations were reported inconsistently, the data presented may therefore be an underestimation of reality since the sampled areas were not randomly selected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of air-conditioning systems in the public areas of hospitals: A scoping review

Dai

et al. 2021

Epidemiol. Infect.

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Almost all hospitals are equipped with air-conditioning systems to provide a comfortable environment for patients and staff. However, the accumulation of dust and moisture within these systems increases the risk of transmission of microbes and have on occasion been associated with outbreaks of infection. Nevertheless, the impact of air-conditioning on the transmission of microorganisms leading to infection remains largely uncertain. We conducted a scoping review to screen systematically the evidence for such an association in the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were explored for relevant studies addressing microbial contamination of the air, their transmission and association with infectious diseases. The review process yielded 21 publications, 17 of which were cross-sectional studies, three were cohort studies and one case−control study. Our analysis showed that, compared with naturally ventilated areas, microbial loads were significantly lower in air-conditioned areas, but the incidence of infections increased if not properly managed. The use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration not only decreased transmission of airborne bioaerosols and various microorganisms, but also reduced the risk of infections. By contrast, contaminated air-conditioning systems in hospital rooms were associated with a higher risk of patient infection. Cleaning and maintenance of such systems to recommended standards should be performed regularly and where appropriate, the installation of HEPA filters can effectively mitigate microbial contamination in the public areas of hospitals.

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“…Also, although incidence was greater in climate-controlled ICUs (where patients have severe disease and are exposed to invasive devices) than in non-climate-controlled wards for non-critically ill patients, the association of incidence with higher temperatures was sound. Appropriate climate control is (uncommon in low-to-middle income countries [ 21 ]) may be a tool for infection control and prevention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonality and weather dependance of Acinetobacter baumannii complex bloodstream infections in different climates in Brazil

et al. 2021

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Recent studies report seasonality in healthcare-associated infections, especially those caused by Acinetobacter baumannii complex. We conducted an ecologic study aimed at analyzing the impact of seasons, weather parameters and climate control on the incidence and carbapenem-resistance in A. baumannii complex bloodstream infections (ABBSI) in hospitals from regions with different climates in Brazil. We studied monthly incidence rates (years 2006–2015) of ABBSI from hospitals in cities from different macro-regions in Brazil: Fortaleza (Ceará State, Northeast region), Goiânia (Goiás State, Middle-west) and Botucatu (São Paulo State, Southeast). Box-Jenkins models were fitted to assess seasonality, and the impact of weather parameters was analyzed in Poisson Regression models. Separate analyses were performed for carbapenem-resistant versus carbapenem-susceptible isolates, as well as for infections occurring in climate-controlled intensive care units (ICUs) versus non-climate-controlled wards. Seasonality was identified for ABSSI ICUs in the Hospitals from Botucatu and Goiânia. In the Botucatu hospital, where there was overall seasonality for both resistance groups, as well as for wards without climate control. In that hospital, the overall incidence was associated with higher temperature (incidence rate ratio for each Celsius degree, 1.05; 95% Confidence Interval, 1.01–1.09; P = 0.006). Weather parameters were not associated with ABBSI in the hospitals from Goiânia and Fortaleza. In conclusion, seasonality was found in the hospitals with higher ABBSI incidence and located in regions with greater thermal amplitude. Strict temperature control may be a tool for prevention of A. baumanii infections in healthcare settings.

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Temperature, humidity, and climate control in hospital units: A clue for understanding the seasonality of healthcare-associated pathogens

Cited by 6 publications

References 10 publications

Determination of the indoor air bacterial profile in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Determination of the indoor air bacterial profile in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Effects of air-conditioning systems in the public areas of hospitals: A scoping review

Seasonality and weather dependance of Acinetobacter baumannii complex bloodstream infections in different climates in Brazil

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