Toward an energy efficient healthcare environment: a case study of hospital corridor design

Several studies have linked nosocomial transmission of airborne diseases to airflow in healthcare settings. Quasi-experimental methods are developed to observe the aerodynamic transport behavior of synthetic respiratory particles in the corridors of an actual hospital. Computational models are then developed to validate the experimental results and to explore the spatial relationships of supply-exhaust air ventilation under various ventilation rates in patient corridors. This work aims to study the effect of ventilation rate and arrangement on the containment and removal of airborne contaminates in patient corridors. Results suggest that distribution of bio-aerosols in hospital corridors could be exacerbated by introducing higher ventilation rates. Increasing ventilation rate appears to reduce aerosol concentrations; however, depending on release point and ventilation arrangement, the reduction may not be worth the extra cost of ventilation. Modified supply-exhaust air system configurations could reduce average particle concentration up to 30% and transport distance more than 60% without increasing air change rate. Best results were obtained by placing an air outlet grille between each two supply air intakes along the corridor.