Monitoring, control and reduction of bioaerosols in the intensive care unit in Turkey

Maintaining high indoor air quality in hospitals is important for protecting the health of both personnel and patients. In this study, the results of air quality monitoring carried out in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Bolu, Turkey, are discussed. Air disinfection devices were used to reduce the concentrations of bacteria. A 4-week sampling programme was implemented. In the first and the last weeks of the sampling, the disinfection devices were turned off, while in the second and third weeks, they were turned on. Bioaerosols were collected, and their indoor levels were determined by counting all plate colonies and bacterial types were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry. The highest levels of bacteria were measured in the mornings and before the air disinfection devices were turned on. Doctors did their rounds at approximately nine to ten o'clock. The dominant bacteria in the air samples examined were Staphylococcus hominis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium afermentans and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The results showed that the air disinfection devices were effective in decreasing the concentration of microorganisms between 83.4 and 55% in the intensive care unit, which is very important for the healthcare staff and patients, particularly during pandemics.