Submicron-sized airborne pathogen trajectory simulations for infection control in a large hospital ward

Abstract

Understanding the spatial distribution of viral-sized airborne pathogens helps determine infection control strategies to reduce cross-infection risks in hospital ward-shared environments. Through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of pathogen transmission trajectories with a user-defined bioaerosol drag, this study evaluates the effectiveness of localized ventilation systems and physical barriers in limiting submicron-sized pathogen dispersion within a corridor-linked hospital ward. In particular, sneezing episodes by an infected patient at 24 bed positions in a general inpatient ward with four semi-open cubicles, a nursing station, a washroom and two storage rooms accessible by a common corridor were evaluated numerically. The results showed that only 20% of the released airborne contaminants went into the corridor, with a suspension time of over five minutes. Their movement paths were strongly influenced by exhaust units from adjacent cubicles. Using a privacy curtain was more effective than localized ventilation in reducing particle dispersion, and using both strategies together further improved the reduction performance. These findings emphasize the necessity of considering submicron-sized airborne pathogen in infection risk estimation and inform key design criteria for an effective ventilation system to reduce infection risks in large hospital wards. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]