A systematic review of ventilation solutions for hospital wards : Addressing cross-infection and patient safety

Despite various preventive interventions, nosocomial cross-infection remains a significant challenge in healthcare facilities worldwide. Consequently, prolonged hospitalization, elevated healthcare costs, and mortality rates are major concerns. Proper ventilation has been identified as one of the possible interventions for reducing the risk of cross-infection between patients and healthcare workers in hospital wards by diluting infectious agents and their carrying particles. The use of air cleaners in conjunction with the ventilation system further reduces the concentration of indoor pathogens. This article presents a systematic review of the ventilation solutions employed in hospital wards where pathogen removal performance can be enhanced using air-cleaning techniques while maintaining the thermal comfort of patients and healthcare staff. We provide a comparative analysis of the performance of different ventilation strategies adopted in one-, two-, or multi-bed hospital wards. Additionally, we discuss the parameters that influence the aerosol removal efficiency of ventilation systems and review various air-cleaning technologies that can further complement the ventilation system to reduce contaminant concentrations. Finally, we review and discuss the impact of different ventilation strategies on the perceived thermal comfort of patients and healthcare workers. This study provides insights into the cross-contamination risks associated with various hospital ward setups and the vital role of the ventilation system in reducing the adverse effects of infection risk. The findings of this review will contribute to the development of effective ventilation solutions that ensure improved patient outcomes and the well-being of healthcare workers.