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. 2021 Mar 4;14(5):1543–1552. doi: 10.1007/s12273-021-0761-3

Evaluation of an innovative pediatric isolation (PI) bed using fluid dynamics simulation and aerosol isolation efficacy

Tiantian Liu 1, Yubing Guo 2, Xiaotang Hao 1, Mei Wang 1, Shicong He 2, Zhengshi Lin 2,✉, Rong Zhou 2,✉
PMCID: PMC7929910  PMID: 33686353

Abstract

Airborne transmission is an important mechanism of spread for both viruses and bacteria in hospitals, with nosocomial infections putting a great burden on public health. In this study, we designed and manufactured a bed for pediatric clinic consultation rooms providing air isolation to protect patients and medical personnel from pathogen transmission. The pediatric isolation bed has several primary efficiency filters and a high-efficiency particulate air filter in the bedside unit. The air circulation between inlet and outlet forms negative pressure to remove the patient’s exhaled air timeously and effectively. A computational fluid dynamics model was used to calculate the speed of the airflow and the angle of sampler. Following this, we conducted purification experiments using cigarette smoke, Staphylococcus albus (S. albus) and human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5) to demonstrate the isolation efficacy. The results showed that the patient’s head should be placed as close to the air inlet hood as possible, and an air intake wind speed of 0.86 m/s was effective. The isolation efficacy of the pediatric isolation bed was demonstrated by computational fluid dynamics technology. The isolation efficiency against cigarette smoke exceeded 91.8%, and against S. albus was greater than 99.8%, while the isolation efficiency against HAdV-5 was 100%. The pediatric isolation bed could be used where isolation wards are unavailable, such as in intensive care units and primary clinical settings, to control hospital acquired infections.

Keywords: computational fluid dynamics (CFD), isolation bed, particles, speed, nosocomial infections, pediatrics

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1200100, 2018YFC1200103), Guangdong Medical Science and Technology Research Center Project (A2019460), Entrepreneurship Leadership Project in Guangzhou Development Zone of China (CY2018-003), Guangzhou Science and Technology Project (202008040002), Scientific Research Project of Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau (20201191), Innovative and Strong School Project of Guangdong Provincial Department of Education (2020KZDZX1122), Guangdong Science and Technology Project (2020B111106001) and Foshan Science and Technology Innovation Project (2020001000416). Thanks Professor Qian Hua (School of Energy and Environment Southeast University, Nanjing, China) for helping us to do the CFD models.

Abbreviations

CFD

computational fluid dynamics

S. albus

Staphylococcus albus

HAdV-5

human adenovirus type 5

NI

nosocomial infection

PI

pediatric isolation

Authors’ contributions

Rong Zhou, Tiantian Liu, and Zhengshi Lin were involved in the conception and design of the study. Tiantian Liu, Yubing Guo, Xiaotang Hao, Mei Wang and Shicong He were involved in the acquisition of the data. Tiantian Liu and Zhengshi Lin analyzed the data. Tiantian Liu wrote the manuscript.

Contributor Information

Zhengshi Lin, Email: linzhengshi@yahoo.com.

Rong Zhou, Email: zhourong@gird.cn.

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