Surface microbial dynamics and residual diversity in patient rooms with wooden and painted walls

Wood is a biobased material that supports long-term carbon storage; however, its suitability for use in healthcare facility interiors remains insufficiently studied. This study assessed surface microbial dynamics and residual diversity in patient rooms with conventional painted wall materials and with designer wooden wall panels. Surface microbial dynamics were evaluated using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements and the swab method with colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. Bacterial and fungal cultures from each patient room were analysed by Sanger sequencing. No significant differences in ATP levels or microbial quantities were observed between rooms. In addition, no correlation was observed between ATP levels and CFU counts within each patient room due to methodological differences. In total, 37 microbial species (24 bacterial and 13 fungal) from 23 genera belonging to risk groups 1 and 2 were identified. Significant differences in microbial biodiversity were observed among the patient rooms studied. Fewer unique taxa were detected in the room with wooden walls. This study confirms that wood, as a decorative indoor material, does not negatively affect surface microbial dynamics or lead to excessive microbial spread or biodiversity. These findings support the feasibility of using wood as a finishing material in hospital facilities.