Infection control and sustainability measures for a healthcare facility

Abstract

Potential disease outbreaks and climate change scenarios of recent past demand balancing of infection control as well as energy use within healthcare settings as need of the hour, although it is quite challenging and often overlooked. In this study, infection risk posed through aerial dispersion of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in a typical semi-enclosed mechanically ventilated ward cubicle in Hong Kong is analyzed through Computational Fluid Dynamics and annual energy consumption of ward is estimated through building energy simulation tool (Energy plus). Fundamental transport and deposition mechanism of droplet nuclei of size 0.167µm under different air change rates (3h-1-13h-1) are evaluated and their effectiveness is estimated through infection risk indicators. Results suggest that ventilation rate can be critical while laying out infection control strategies and an air change rate between 6h-1-9h-1 would be optimal to sustain comfort as well as well-being of ward users while reducing carbon footprint.