Investigating the Ventilation System of an Intensive Care Unit in the COVID-19 Crisis: A Study in a Hospital of Tehran, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Ventilation system besides other prevention strategies such as surface disinfecting and personal protective equipment (PPE) decrease the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This study aimed to examine the ventilation system of an intensive care unit (ICU) in a hospital in Tehran, Iran to evaluate the potency of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) for COVID-19 spread.
Materials and Methods: Contamination of air turnover caves was evaluated in supplier diffuser and extractor grills of negative pressure HVAC by ten samples. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) in the samples was evaluated by the real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, air conditioning and sick building syndrome (SBS) was assessed according to MM040EA questioning from health care workers.
Results: In the health care workers, respiratory effects were more prevalent compared to other signs. Despite suitable air conditioning, this study highlighted carrier potency of ICU workers for SARS-COV-2.
Conclusion: According to our results, although the HVAC of ICU ward had an appropriate air movement, it was not safe enough for health care workers.

Keywords

TANAFFOS (Respiration)
Volume 20, Issue 3
July 2021
Pages 240-245

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