Journal of Research in Environmental Health

Journal of Research in Environmental Health

Investigating the Air Quality of the Operating Rooms and Wards of the Organ Transplantation Hospital of Mashhad: Identification and Analysis of Bacterial Bioaerosols

Document Type : Research article

Authors
Amir Bohlori hajjar 1
Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh 2
Hosein Alidadi 3
Roya Peirovi 4
1 1- MSc student of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Health Engineering Department, Faculty of Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
2 2- Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
3 Associate Proffessor, Environmental Health Engineering Department, Faculty of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Environmental Health Engineering Department, Faculty of Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
10.22038/jreh.2024.24334
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Hospital air contains bioaerosols that are potential infection sources for patients and staff. This study focused on identifying and quantifying bacterial bioaerosols in Montaserieh Hospital, Mashhad, in 2021.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study collected 96 air samples from operating rooms and wards using a sampling pump with a flow rate of 28.3 L/min and a single-stage Anderson impactor by NIOSH0800 guidelines. The samples were cultured, and bacterial colonies were quantified as colony-forming units per cubic meter (cfu/m³). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results: Predominant bacterial bioaerosols identified included Micrococcus lotus, Coccoriacristina, and Staphylococcus hominis. The mean density of bioaerosols was 57.81 cfu/m³ (standard deviation = 42.44), aligning with World Health Organization guidelines. The intensive care unit exhibited the highest average density at 101.08 cfu/m³ (standard deviation = 48.93), whereas the bone marrow transplant ward had the lowest at 5.25 cfu/m³ (standard deviation = 7.96). 

Conclusion: The study revealed varying densities of bacterial bioaerosols across different hospital wards, though the types of bacteria were consistent. Variations in bioaerosol density likely relate to the number of patients and staff per room, the quality of ventilation, and environmental sanitation standards.
 
Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Keywords
Air
Bacteria Bioaerosols
Nosocomial Infection
Organ Transplantation
Operating Room and Hospital Wards
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