Prototype of Patient Room with Capability to Control Parameters Affecting Indoor Air Quality: A Pilot Study at Naresuan University Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: 1. To examine the air quality in different rooms of Naresuan University Hospital; 2. To create innovations to improve indoor air quality of Naresuan University Hospital; and 3. To preliminarily test the efficacy against airborne microbial contamination of the innovations. Methods: This research and development surveyed 30 hospital personnel on rooms with air quality problems. Subsequently, researchers examined the air quality in rooms selected from those reported by personnel, by placing a petri dish with culture media and cultivating them. The innovative design group then brainstormed with systematic inventive thinking. A preliminary test of innovations employed the same methods as those used to examine air quality. Results: The area perceived by personnel as having the problem on indoor air quality (based on mode) included outpatient examination hall, single patient room, and in-patient ward, respectively. The results on microbial examination were consistent with the opinions of the personnel. The innovation derived through brainstorming was a prototype patient room transformed into a room capable of controlling various parameters affecting air quality. The initial efficacy test of the innovation revealed a significant decrease in the number of bacterial/fungal colonies in the prototype patient room from before cleaning (95/5 colonies) and after cleaning (18/20 colonies) to 10/4 colonies. Very small amount of non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi was identified. Conclusion: The prototype patient room that could control parameters affecting the indoor air quality shows a satisfactory result in pilot testing. Therefore, it should be tested in a larger study with a greater number of rooms and types.