Enhancing the control of respiratory virus spread: a comprehensive approach integrating airborne virus detection, aerological investigations, and airflow modeling for practical implementation.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: Patients with chronic kidney disease suffer from immune dysfunction, increasing susceptibility to infections. The aim of the study was to investigate air contamination with respiratory viruses in a dialysis unit at a quaternary hospital using molecular detection techniques and to analyze airflow dynamics through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for a comprehensive assessment of air transmission risks.
Methods: We conducted dialysis unit air sampling using AerosolSense™ samplers. Air and clinical sampling occurred during three periods in 2022: winter, early, and late fall. A technical team maintained the dialysis unit's ventilation system during mid fall. Ventilation system capacity and airflow rates were measured. CFD simulations were used to evaluate airflow dynamics.
Results: The investigation collected 144 air samples, revealing heterogeneous virus detection rates across locations and study periods. Virus positivity correlated with the presence of patients and the effectiveness of the ventilation system. The ratio of virus air positivity to virus patient positivity was 1.84 and 3.35 during the first and the second periods, respectively, and collapsed to 0.64 after maintenance. Airflow rate measurements highlighted a ninefold discrepancy between actual and theoretical airflow (393 m3/h vs. 3530 m3/h), which was rectified by maintenance actions. Airflow dynamics and particle dispersion visualization through CFD simulations contributed to a better understanding of transmission risks.
Conclusions: Detection of viruses in the air, combined with CFD, revealed deficiencies in air renewal. Maintenance interventions significantly improved airflow dynamics and particle dispersion, reducing airborne virus spread.
目的：慢性肾脏疾病患者存在免疫功能障碍，对感染的易感性增加。本研究的目的是利用分子检测技术调查某第四医院透析病房中呼吸道病毒的空气污染情况，并通过计算流体动力学（CFD）模拟分析气流动力学，以全面评估空气传播风险。方法：我们使用AerosolSense™采样器进行透析单元空气采样。在2022年的三个时期进行了空气和临床采样：冬季、初秋和晚秋。一个技术小组在秋季中期维护透析设备的通风系统。测量了通风系统容量和气流速率。采用CFD模拟来评估气流动力学。结果：调查收集了144份空气样本，揭示了不同地点和研究期间的不同病毒检出率。病毒阳性与患者的存在和通风系统的有效性相关。第一期和第二期空气病毒阳性与患者病毒阳性之比分别为1.84和3.35，维持后降至0.64。气流速率测量结果显示，实际气流与理论气流（393 m3/h vs 3530 m3/h）之间存在9倍的差异，这一差异通过维护措施得到了纠正。通过CFD模拟的气流动力学和颗粒分散可视化有助于更好地了解传播风险。结论：空气中病毒的检测，结合CFD，揭示了空气更新的不足。维持干预措施显著改善了气流动力学和颗粒扩散，减少了病毒在空气中的传播。
期刊介绍：
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology provides original, peer-reviewed scientific articles for anyone involved with an infection control or epidemiology program in a hospital or healthcare facility. Written by infection control practitioners and epidemiologists and guided by an editorial board composed of the nation''s leaders in the field, ICHE provides a critical forum for this vital information.
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