Spreading of disease through air-conditioning?

[kristina]

I have always wondered: how much the air-conditioning-systems in hospitals
contributes to spreading infection throughout the hospital?

I would like to know if there are any air-conditioning-experts out there who could explain
whether this is possible or whether they build into the air-conditioning system
safe-guards to stop the spread of infectious diseases?

All the windows are closed, and it is possible to walk around the hospital
opening doors at will, passing from one area to another.
The air-conditioning is on & extracting on the one hand & pumping other air in on the other hand,
but I have no idea what this air goes through and where it goes.

There are many isolation-rooms with infectious patients
and all the rooms are in effect plugged into the same air-conditioning-system.

So what about the spread of air-borne infectious diseases?

I am old enough to remember & to have seen the hospitals of yesteryear
which were built with separate blocks,
where different diseases were catered for in their own block...

Thanks from Kristina.

[RightSide]

Google for "Legionnaires' Disease".
Find out where it originates.

[Riki]

Where are you that a hospital has air conditioning?? *LMAO*

[okarol]

Hospitals have germs, getting worse all the time, but I would worry more about inadequate sanitizing of surfaces and employees hands than I would of the air conditioning. Today germicidal UV lights are used in hospitals, commercial buildings, and food processing plants and kill bacteria as air is recycled through the return ducts.

[kristina]

Thanks for your kind replies.

RightSide, I understand Legionnaires disease is the result of poorly maintained air-conditioned extraction-filter-systems.
 
I wonder if the air-conditioned environment inside Hospitals contributes to ill-health?

Karol, did you say the air is recycled. You mean the air inside is not expelled and replenished by fresh air, it is just recycled?
That sounds terrible. Is this what happens in Hospitals and does it mean we have to rely completely on UV-light killing off the bugs?
 
What happened to the “good old days” of simply opening a window? I agree with you completely that personal hygiene
and hygiene generally in hospitals is of prime importance and this is one of the issues which is very scary.

We don’t seem to have a clear picture of what air-conditioning in hospitals is all about,
both why we have to have it and how it works effectively.
I acknowledge that it is being monitored but what do they know that we don’t ?
(What information have they locked-up in the safe...?) I may sound a little bit suspicious
but it is best to be on this side of the fence because it helps our survival.

Thanks again from Kristina.

[Joe Paul]

This is an intresting thread. My Father in Law took a turn for the worse, hes 92, and has been a great inspiration to me, but, I have wondered the same things, being I just had my new kidney since Jan 8 , this year. Anyway, I went to go and visit him yesterday, and after being told he was in good shape, just resting, in passing - the nurse mentioned he has M R S A !! No warnings, no caution signs, no isolation.  What really struck me is when she told me that most people from nursing homes pass this disease back and forth, and that this is common for those patients. H-E-L-L-O? I may be mistaken in asking who gives these homes a license? If a disease is common, and OK with the State, I'm not sure anymore   

[Riki]

I think if I were you, I"d go right to your doctor and ask that they swab you, just in case

[okarol]

Sorry about you FIL Joe, I hope he recovers. Here's more info:

The term MRSA refers to both methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus and to multi resistant staphlococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria (germ) which is commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes, especially the nose and perineum.

If staphylococcus aureus stays only on the skin there is no problem, but in certain situations staphylococcus aureus may become invasive and cause disease. (e.g. in skin abscesses, post-operative wound infections, septicaemia and pneumonia). This usually occurs in persons predisposed through illness and injury.

At one time staphylococci were sensitive to penicillin, however the clinical use of this agent has meant strains of staphylococcus aureus have become resistant to a wide range of antibiotics e.g. Flucloxacillin, methicillin, cepahlosporins and tetracyclines. These are referred to as Methicillin Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus (MRSA).

Multi resistant strains are resistant to 3 or more antibiotics other than penicillen and methicillen.

Commonly, when a person is being admitted to the hospital for surgery or for a short term stay, the laboratory will do an MRSA screen to determine if the patient is housing this oxacillin-resistant strain in their nose. Of course, MRSA is a superbug and very difficult to treat should it become a problem with infection on the patient.

[kristina]

I am so sorry Joe Paul for this shock and I hope your father in law recovers & hopefully this event did you no harm.

I am quite stunned that this nurse is so nonchalant/laisser faire about MRSA and obviously is not bothered
about getting it herself ... (?)... and merely infers that MRSA lays with the elderly & infirmed...?

It just occurred to me I have only heard of people in institutions getting MRSA,
but I don’t hear of people at home having it.
Do people at home, ordinarily, pick this up as well?

Thanks okarol for explaining MRSA in detail.

[Zach]

MRSA is a problem among athletes as well.
Here is a CDC advisory:

http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/groups/advice-for-athletes.html

Prevention Steps for Athletes
Practice good personal hygiene
In addition to practicing good personal hygiene, athletes and visitors to athletic facilities should also do the following:

Keep your hands clean by washing frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.
At a minimum, hands should be cleaned before and after playing sports and activities such as using shared weight-training equipment, when caring for wounds including changing bandages, and after using the toilet.

Both plain and antimicrobial soap are effective for hand washing, but liquid soap is preferred over bar soap in these settings to limit sharing.

If hands are not visibly dirty and sinks are not available for hand washing, for example, while on the field of play or in the weight-room, alcohol-based hand rubs and sanitizers can be used. Alcohol-based hand rubs with at least 60% alcohol content are preferred.
Shower immediately after exercise and do not share bar soap or towels.

Wash your uniform and clothing after each use. Follow the clothing label's instructions for washing and drying. Drying clothes completely in a dryer is preferred.

Take care of your skin

Wear protective clothing or gear designed to prevent skin abrasions or cuts.
Cover skin abrasions and cuts with clean dry bandages or other dressings recommended by your team’s healthcare provider (e.g., athletic trainer, team doctor) until healed.

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for when and how often to change your bandages and dressings.

Do not share items that come into contact with your skin

Avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors that contact your bare skin.
Do not share ointments that are applied by placing your hands into an open container.
Use a barrier (such as clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment like weight-training, sauna, and steam-room benches.

Take precautions with common surfaces and equipment

Although in most situations you will not know if a surface has been cleaned, it’s important to remember that most surfaces do not pose a risk of spreading staph and MRSA.

If cleaning procedures are unknown, take the appropriate precautions such as:

Using barriers like a towel or clothing between your skin and the surface.
Showering immediately after activities where you have direct skin contact with people or shared surfaces such as after exercising at a health club.

Cleaning your hands regularly.

Keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages or dressing until healed.
These precautions are especially important in settings such as in locker rooms, gyms, and health clubs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To read more, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/groups/advice-for-athletes.html

[kristina]

Thanks Zach, for this absolutely fascinating and interesting article

on how athletes avoid MRSA.

From it we can pick up many tips into our general ESRF/Dialysis care.

Thanks again.