1. Is thermal-guided mobile air supply a practical measure in burn isolation wards? Potential future applications.
- Author
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Kek, Hong Yee, Tan, Huiyi, Othman, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan, Chong, Wen Tong, Nyakuma, Bemgba Bevan, Bazgir, Adib, Zhang, Yuwen, and Wong, Keng Yinn
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COMPUTATIONAL fluid dynamics , *BURN patients , *AIRBORNE infection , *HOSPITAL patients , *POLLUTANTS - Abstract
A validated computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed to conduct a detailed examination of particle distribution within a burn patient ward. The indoor airflow was simulated using an RNG k–epsilon turbulence model, and particle dispersion was tracked employing a discrete phase model (DPM) that utilizes the Lagrangian framework. The primary objective is to assess the impact of a thermal-guided mobile air supply (MAS) unit, used in conjunction with an air curtain jet and localized exhaust grilles, on controlling particle dispersion. The focus on burn patient wards is critical, given the heightened vulnerability of burn patients to environmental contaminants, coupled with their impaired thermoregulatory and fluid balance capabilities. By integrating temperature control through the MAS unit, this study explores a novel approach to maintaining a sterile environment, achieving 0 BCP/m3 within the laminar airflow region around patients. The analysis reveals that the MAS unit significantly reduces particle penetration into the patient's protective zone by 82% relative to the baseline scenario without the activation of MAS unit. The thermal-guided MAS unit also effectively maintains ambient air temperatures within the optimal 21–24 °C range for burn patient recovery zone. However, the study also uncovers a temperature distribution around healthcare workers who do not meet satisfactory conditions, indicating areas for further improvement. In addition, the particle dispersion outside the protective zone was exacerbated when the MAS unit was activated, which demonstrated its contradictory effect. This underscores the importance of selecting optimal operating temperatures and configurations in clinical practice, emphasizing the need for extensive clinical testing and verification of the MAS device in varied room layouts and ventilation schemes. This research contributes significantly to the field by focusing on an underexplored area of patient care technology during critical times, providing insights into the efficacy of thermal-guided MAS units in enhancing environmental control in burn patient wards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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