Dispersion of aerosols in hospitals utilizing aerosol inhalation therapy.

Abstract

Abstract Uranine dye was used to trace the dispersion of aerosol produced by a DeVilbiss ultrasonic generator used for inhalation therapy of a bedridden hospital patient. Air for ventilation of the hospital room was supplied through ceiling level grilles; air was exhausted through outlets in the hospital corridor. Particles of uranine, formed after evaporation of aerosol droplets, were detected in the hospital corridors by sampling with Millipore HA filter paper and analyzing the sample fluorimetrically for uranine. Our results suggest that infectious agents, as well as dye, could be dispersed throughout the hospital and that inhalation therapy should be administered in hospital rooms where ventilation air is supplied from the corridor and exhausted from the therapy room.