Airborne Infection Control in Health Care Facilities

Abstract

Documented correlations between building occupant health effects and exposure to indoor airborne contaminants are very limited because of low indoor concentrations and confounding exposure elsewhere. However, an important exception has been found in hospitals where immune compromised patient mortality has been directly linked to increased indoor airborne fungal contamination caused by construction activity. Inhalation of viable Aspergillus spores often results in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a disease with a high fatality rate. A review of the literature is given and recommendations and needs are outlined for barriers, filtration, air pressure control and bioaerosol sensors.