Microbiological contamination of hospital air. I. Quantitative studies

Abstract

The levels of airborne contamination in various areas of two hospitals were determined during a 15-month sampling period, using Casella and Andersen volumetric samplers. Based on nearly 5,000 samples, the mean count per ft(3) ranged from 4.5 in obstetric-gynecology delivery rooms to 72.4 in waste-handling areas. The mean count for the entire hospital environment was on the order of 20 contaminants per ft(3); 48% were associated with particles >5 mu diam, 30% with particles between 2 and 6 mu diam, and 22% with particles <2 mu diam. The airborne contamination was influenced by traffic, activity, ventilation considerations, and gross surface contamination, but not markedly by seasonal changes. When suitable control measures were implemented, the level of contamination could be diminished and kept low.