Author(s): Ross, Birgit | Hansen, Dorothea | Lieske, Tim | Krude, Joschka | Saner, Fuat | Marggraf, Günter | Paul, Andreas | Jakob, Heinz G. | Popp, Walter
Journal: GMS Krankenhaushygiene Interdisziplinär
ISSN 1863-5245
Volume: 6;
Issue: 1;
Start page: Doc11;
Date: 2011;
Original page
Keywords: construction work | renovation | hospital | fungal infection | dust | surgical ward | ICU
ABSTRACT
Background: Construction and renovation work in hospitals pose risks of fungal airborne infections for immunosuppressed patients. If possible, reconstruction work will be postponed to periods without patient treatment. However, in many situations urgent damage demands immediate refurbishment works before the transferring of patients to other wards or closure of wards is possible. Reported here are infection control related measures and implemented procedures after two incidents of water damage which occurred on a surgical ward and an intensive care unit at the University hospital of Essen. Methods: Between January and April 2009 and between September and October 2009, respectively, concentration of air-borne particles and number of viable fungi were measured at two surgical wards and one ICU. Preventive Infection Control Measures included erection of protective walls and HEPA filtration of air from the renovation area. Results: During the renovation work on the surgical ward concentrations of moulds and particles ≥5 µm were significantly higher on the left side of the renovation area than on the right side (p=0.036 and p
Journal: GMS Krankenhaushygiene Interdisziplinär
ISSN 1863-5245
Volume: 6;
Issue: 1;
Start page: Doc11;
Date: 2011;
Original page
Keywords: construction work | renovation | hospital | fungal infection | dust | surgical ward | ICU
ABSTRACT
Background: Construction and renovation work in hospitals pose risks of fungal airborne infections for immunosuppressed patients. If possible, reconstruction work will be postponed to periods without patient treatment. However, in many situations urgent damage demands immediate refurbishment works before the transferring of patients to other wards or closure of wards is possible. Reported here are infection control related measures and implemented procedures after two incidents of water damage which occurred on a surgical ward and an intensive care unit at the University hospital of Essen. Methods: Between January and April 2009 and between September and October 2009, respectively, concentration of air-borne particles and number of viable fungi were measured at two surgical wards and one ICU. Preventive Infection Control Measures included erection of protective walls and HEPA filtration of air from the renovation area. Results: During the renovation work on the surgical ward concentrations of moulds and particles ≥5 µm were significantly higher on the left side of the renovation area than on the right side (p=0.036 and p
