Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to conduct an ozone application within a triage area that receives patients with suspected cases of COVID-19. The ozone application was carried out for 10 min to disinfect the air and surfaces of different rooms within the triage area. A 3D model for ozone spread in the doctor’s office was developed. Higher counts of bacteria (3.3 × 102 CFU · m−3) and fungi (1.3 × 103 CFU · m−3) before ozone treatment were observed in the administrative room, which experienced greater circulation by healthcare workers. In this room, ozone was highly effective in reducing bacterial (95%; P < .0003) and fungal (78%; P < .0001) counts. Significant reductions in the percentage of bacteria of 83%, 74% and 95% and fungi of 70%, 49% and 69% also occurred within the doctor’s office, personal protective equipment dressing room and bedroom for healthcare workers, respectively. For the surface microbial quantities, bacterial and fungal growth were reduced (P < .05) on all surfaces after ozone application. Experimentation and modeling of ozone spread in the doctor’s office showed that the average ozone concentration was on the order of 20 ppm. This work represents a contribution to new hygiene strategies in a COVID-19 triage area.
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