• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2013

One of purposes in this study was to confirm the behavior of coughed particles under different ventilation conditions. Three types of ventilation systems were applied for this experiment and the properties of coughed particles were measured using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in an intensive care unit. The changes of total airborne particles for each case showed different trends according to the ventilation type and time, but the deposited particles were similar in all conditions. Although the time taken for 50% of the particles to be deposited was the fastest in case 2, the portion of deposited particles after 300 seconds was only 5% in all conditions. In case 1, a relatively small number of particles were deposited on the wall, but the particle exhaust and deposition on the occupants were the highest. In case 3, the downward ventilation was applied as that recommended by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and showed different exhaust efficiencies according to the particle size.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2018

Purpose: This study investigates the influences of coughing direction and healthcare worker's location on the transport characteristics of coughed particles in airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), which is commonly called negative pressure isolation room, with a downward ventilation system. Methods: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the airflow and for tracing the behavior of particles. Results: The results show that the airflow pattern and coughing direction have a significant influence on the characteristics of particle dispersion and deposition. When healthcare workers are in the isolation room with the patient who is lying on the bed, it is recommended to be located far from the anteroom to reduce the exposures from infectious particles. And when the patient is lying, it is more effective in removing particles than when the patient is in Fowler's position. Although it is an isolation room that produces unidirectional flow, coughing particles can spread to the whole room and a large number of particles can be deposited onto patient, bed, side rails, healthcare worker, ceiling, floor, and sidewall. Implications: Following the patients' discharge or transfer, terminal cleaning of the vacated room, furniture, and all clinical equipment is essential. Also, it is necessary to establish detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.