Indoor air in healing environments: Monitoring chemical pollution in inpatient rooms
ISSN: 0263-2772
Article publication date: 14 February 2019
Issue publication date: 19 June 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Several countries have carried out air quality monitoring in professional workplaces where chemicals are used. Health-care spaces have been less investigated. This paper aims to define a protocol, as developed by a research group, for inpatient rooms to understand the state of the art and to suggest design and management strategies for improving process quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Starting from the ISO-16000 standard and guidelines for monitoring activities, a protocol is defined for a one year investigation, with passive samplers. Through data analysis of the investigations and analysis of the cleaning and finishing products, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and maintenance activities, etc., it is possible to highlight the potential influences of chemical pollution.
Findings
A methodology is defined for understanding the chemical pollution and the possible factors related to construction materials, cleaning products and maintenance activities.
Research limitations/implications
The paper analyzes only a limited number of case studies because the monitoring activity is still in progress.
Practical implications
The investigation offers a starting point for a wide tool for the definition of design, maintenance and management strategies in health-care facilities.
Social implications
The research project, aimed at improving the knowledge of indoor air quality (IAQ) in inpatient rooms, is a starting point for a supporting tool for future regulations concerning health-care facilities.
Originality/value
IAQ is an issue on which many governments are focusing. Several health-care researchers have reported studies that aim at improving users’ health. Most investigations are about biological and physical risks, but chemical risks have been less studied. The paper suggests some design and management strategies for inpatient room.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors and detectors thank the medical directors of the hospitals analyzed and all the health-care staff involved in fill in the activity logs. The authors want to thank Arch. Ambra Mele and Arch. Barbara Tolino for their support in the first steps of the research activities and for some figures and Dr Veruska Mannoni, Dr Marco De Felice and Dr Giorgio Padula for the data analysis in the laboratories of Istituto Superiore di Sanità. The authors acknowledge also Arch. Eleftheria Savvopoulou and Prof. Evangelia Chrysikou for their support in paper development.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Citation
Gola, M., Settimo, G. and Capolongo, S. (2019), "Indoor air in healing environments: Monitoring chemical pollution in inpatient rooms", Facilities, Vol. 37 No. 9/10, pp. 600-623. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-01-2018-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited