Modeling Contaminant Dispersion to Mitigate Airborne Infection Spread in Healthcare Environments

Background Airborne transmission of infections, such as tuberculosis, measles, and coronavirus disease (COVID-19), can spread quickly in healthcare settings, particularly in high-density environments like Korean hospitals. Transmission may happen in communal areas that are affected by ventilation and airflow. This study aimed to evaluate airborne and droplet transmission through numerical simulations based on real air supply and exhaust measurements in a hospital ward. Methods A hospital ward in the Gyeonggi Province was chosen for this investigation. The locations of the air supply and exhaust vents in the patient rooms and hallways were determined, and airflow was quantified. Four sites (two within the rooms and two in the corridor) were analyzed, considering the presence of an infected patient. Computational fluid dynamics software was used to simulate airflow and model the dispersion of exhaled gaseous contaminants from patients. Results Room A maintained a negative pressure, preventing air from escaping into the hallway, while Room B maintained a positive pressure, causing air to flow into the hallway and adjacent rooms. Contaminants in Room A did not spread outside; however, contaminants from hallway vents affected other spaces. The positive pressure in Room B blocked the entry of contaminants from the hallway. Conclusion Airflow analysis demonstrated that the pressure differences between rooms and hallways significantly affected the spread of contaminants. Numerical simulations based on real-world data can help trace infected contacts and optimize room assignments for patients with airborne or droplet-borne infections, aiding in prevention efforts.