Evaluating thermal comfort in a vascular interventional radiology laboratory: Utilizing an onsite measurement approach

Abstract

A vascular interventional radiology (VIR) laboratory is a specialized medical environment designed for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures focused on blood vessels. In this facility, healthcare practitioners employ diverse imaging technologies such as fluoroscopy and angiography to visualize blood vessels and conduct minimally invasive interventions. This research examines the thermal comfort within a VIR laboratory through the field measurements. Assessing thermal comfort in a VIR laboratory supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing the welfare and working conditions in the healthcare settings (SDG 3 and SDG 9). This effort also aligns with SDG 11 by advocating for sustainable urban environments through the optimization of indoor environmental conditions. The gathered data brings to light notable disparities in air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity, underscoring the absence of homogeneity in the laboratory setting. It's evident that 67% of the spaces within the VIR laboratory will induce a "cool" sensation among medical staff members in standby mode, with the remaining 33% causing a "slightly cool" sensation. Both the Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) indices for thermal comfort deviate from the established ASHRAE 55 standard, emphasizing the considerable hurdles in achieving the desired thermal conditions. By integrating findings from this study into policy frameworks, stakeholders can prioritize investments in infrastructure and technology aimed at enhancing thermal comfort standards in healthcare facilities. This proactive approach not only fosters a conducive environment for medical procedures but also advances progress towards achieving key SDGs.