Computational Fluid Dynamics Applications in Hospital Ventilation Design

Abstract

An investigation into modelling the internal environment in important hospital air conditioning applications, using computational fluid dynamics techniques (CFD) to improve air quality and health outcomes has been conducted.

Aggressive infections are developing which medical science is hard pressed to control with antibiotics. In facilities such as operating theatres where patients undergo deep surgery or in ICU/transplant/oncology wards where immuno-compromised patients are accommodated, the control of air quality is essential to minimise patient infection. This reduces the risk of compromising patient health, reduces the cost of expensive drug treatments and, in this day and age, reduces the risk of litigation when patients are infected. CFD analysis techniques allow a study of the air flow and temperature distribution and the optimisation of air delivery to achieve higher sterility in risk-affected areas. In the case of operating theatres, air quality is affected by many factors and the principal objectives are to deliver sterile air to the surgical site, ensure that inappropriate air mixing does not occur, air velocities do not adversely affect the operation and room comfort conditions are maintained.

Computational fluid dynamics analysis allows a proposed operating room to be modelled and each of the variables to be tested to identify flaws in air distribution and make adjustments to achieve the optimum flows and temperature. Graphic displays show velocity distributions and temperature distribution, leading to specific placement of filters, diffusers and allow the effects of lights, staff and pendants to be identified.