Survey on air purification methods applied in different types of hospitals

Abstract:

Objective To understand the application of air purification methods in different hospitals. Methods A survey was conducted in hospitals of different levels and types in 7 provinces from 7 regions of China, to investigate the current application status of air purification methods in hospitals after the promulgation of Hospital Air Purification Management Code, including the application of different air purification methods, the combination of air purification methods, and the application of air purification methods in different regions. Results A total of 340 hospitals were surveyed. 38.53% (n=131) of which had negative pressure isolation wards, 81.47% (n=277) had clean operating rooms with cleaning technology, 97.35% (n=331) had air disinfectors. 70.00% (n=238) had two or more air purification methods simultaneously in a certain region. General intensive care unit, infectious disease department and fever clinic adopted three or more air purification methods, accounting for 55.93%, 43.01% and 38.49%, respectively. The most common combination was natural/mechanical ventilation+air disinfectors (83.19%, 198/238). 20.59% (49/238) used ultraviolet lamps additionally for the disinfection in rooms with clean technology. Except for non-clean operating rooms, delivery rooms, catheter rooms and disinfection supply center, over 80% areas had ventilation systems. Conclusion The selection of air purification methods is diverse, and the architectural design pays more attention to ventilation, but the selection of air purification methods is still excessive and non-standardized.