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Assessing airborne pathogen exposure in hospital wards using a distance-based modeling technique
Tsz Wun Tsang1, Ling Tim Wong1, Kwok Wai Mui1
1Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 1, 2025
Summary
Hospital ward design impacts infection risk. Optimizing nurse and patient positioning reduces airborne pathogen exposure, enhancing healthcare safety and infection control.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Infection Control
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Proximity between nursing staff and patients is a key factor in airborne infection transmission within hospital wards.
- Understanding the spatial dynamics of exposure is critical for effective infection risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a distance-based inhalation model for assessing airborne pathogen exposure in hospital wards.
- To evaluate the influence of ward layout and staff movement on infection risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized movement data from a simulated hospital ward to estimate airborne pathogen exposure.
- Analyzed the impact of various hospital bed arrangements on staff proximity and exposure levels.
Main Results:
- Different bed arrangements significantly altered the likelihood of staff proximity to patients and their overall exposure.
- Spatial exposure to airborne pathogens is directly influenced by interpersonal distances and movement patterns.
Conclusions:
- Ward design and bed positioning are critical modifiable factors for infection control.
- Findings support targeted strategies to minimize close contact and improve healthcare facility safety.
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