GENERAL HOSPITALS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN LORESTAN, IRAN

Introduction: One of the important issues faced by most hospitals is an increase in nosocomial infection caused by exposure to airborne bioaerosols such as fungi and bacteria. It may be more dangerous for people who impaired immune systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate fungal contamination of indoor air of different wards of general hospitals of Lorestan, Iran. Materials and methods: In order to assess microbial air sampling ZEFON Pump, equipped with single-stage cascade BioStage impactor was used. The mobile culture medium used for assessing fungal samples was Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) with chloramphenicol. Samples transferred to the laboratory and analyzed. Temperature and humidity were measured in different sampling areas. Results: The highest level of fungal air contamination in different wards of hospitals No. 1, 2, and 3 were respectively in the surgical ICU (178.53 ± 207/20 CFU/m³), operating room (160.11 ± 99.62 CFU/m3), and CS ICU (162.72 ± 110.58 CFU/m³), and the lowest concentration levels were observed in ICU General (94.84 ± 65.89 CFU/m³), NICU (101.35 ± 112.64 CFU/m³) and operating room (70.67 ± 43.27 CFU/m³). The most common fungal agents detected include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Chrysosporim, Alternaria, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Trichosporn Asahii, Cryptococcus albidus, Rhodotorula glutenis. Also, Aspergillus fumigatus was identified in most hospital wards. Conclusions: High level of fungal contamination in certain wards of Khorramabad educational hospitals was indicated and an effective control system to reduce the fungi concentration is needed. Moreover, methods such as HEPA filters and UV lamps can use to reduce airborne fungi.