Effect of air sterilizers in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary university hospital

Abstract

Background: After the COVID-19 outbreak, interest in airborne virus infections has increased. We considered ways to reduce the risk of infection to other people by inactivating the virus before it is inhaled into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. We installed a recently developed air sterilizer in the newly remodeled outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital and confirmed its effectiveness.

Methods: After remodeling the ENT outpatient clinic at Chonnam National University Hospital, 15 KOKKOS air sterilizers (Bentech Frontier Co., Ltd., Gwangju, Korea) were installed. Total culturable microorganisms (TCMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in five separate inspection areas three days before installation, 2 weeks after installation, and 4 weeks after installation.

Results: After measurement of TCMs, improvement in air quality occurred 2 weeks after air sterilizer instatement at all timepoints except inspection area 5, and further improvement was achieved after 4 weeks (p < 0.05). After assessment of VOCs, improvement occurred 4 weeks after air sterilizer connection at all points (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: KOKKOS air sterilizers are effective in improving air quality in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary university hospital.

Keywords: air; air filters; hospitals; microorganisms; volatile organic compounds.