Integrating the fault tree analysis and analytic hierarchy process for assessing the probabilistic risk to airborne infections from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in the operating room
Keywords:
Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Fault tree analysis (FTA), Probabilistic risk assessmentAbstract
Airborne infections in operating rooms significantly impact patient health, potentially leading to complications and extended recovery times. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system plays a crucial role in preventing these infections. However, any malfunction in the HVAC system can increase the risk of airborne infections. Therefore, this research applied fault tree analysis (FTA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to assess the risk of airborne infections in operating rooms. The FTA was used to identify the causes of HVAC system failures, while AHP was used to assign important weight (scale 1-9) to each contributing factor.
The findings revealed low airflow with a failure probability of 99.4%, with the possible cause being the air conditioner fan defective at 67.4%, the air duct system defective at 73.8%, the air filter defective at 75.8%, and
the cooling coil defective at 80.4%, which were important factors that increased the risk of airborne infections in operating rooms. Therefore, regular inspection and testing of HVAC system performance according to the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) standards are essential. This includes testing for airflow, HEPA filter leakage, air pressure, dust levels, and the control of temperature and humidity. In conclusion, integrating FTA and AHP techniques can be used to assess the risks of airborne infections in operating rooms, thereby enhancing the quality and safety of patient care in the operating room.
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