Bioaerosol production on a respiratory ward

Although much hospital acquired infection is associated with person-to-person contact, there is increasing evidence that some nosocomial infections may be transmitted via the airborne route. However, the knowledge base concerning airborne microflora in hospitals is poor. In particular, there is a need for good quality data relating bioaerosol production to clinical activity in hospital wards. A short aerobiological survey was therefore undertaken by the authors on a respiratory ward at St James's University Hospital in Leeds in order to gain an understanding of the relationship between activity and bioaerosol production. This survey involved regular microbiological and particulate (0.3-5 mu m) sampling of the ward air, together with an observational study of ward activity. Two identical four-bed ward bays were surveyed, one containing high dependency patients who regularly used noninvasive ventilators (NIVs), and the other containing patients who did not require mechanical ventilation. The survey found a correlation between activity and aerosol production.