Room Surfaces Research Articles

Impact of doffing errors on healthcare worker self-contamination when caring for patients on contact precautions.

We assessed the impact of personal protective equipment (PPE) doffing errors on healthcare worker (HCW) contamination with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Prospective, observational study. The study was conducted at 4 adult ICUs at 1 tertiary-care teaching hospital. HCWs who cared for patients on contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, or multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli were enrolled. Samples were collected from standardized areas of patient body, garb sites, and high-touch environmental surfaces in patient rooms. HCW hands, gloves, PPE, and equipment were sampled before and after patient interaction. Research personnel observed PPE doffing and coded errors based on CDC guidelines. We enrolled 125 HCWs; most were nurses (66.4%) or physicians (19.2%). During the study, 95 patients were on contact precautions for MRSA. Among 5,093 cultured sites (HCW, patient, environment), 652 (14.7%) yielded the target MDRO. Moreover, 45 HCWs (36%) were contaminated with the target MDRO after patient interactions, including 4 (3.2%) on hands and 38 (30.4%) on PPE. Overall, 49 HCWs (39.2%) made multiple doffing errors and were more likely to have contaminated clothes following a patient interaction (risk ratio [RR], 4.69; P = .04). All 4 HCWs with hand contamination made doffing errors. The risk of hand contamination was higher when gloves were removed before gowns during PPE doffing (RR, 11.76; P = .025). When caring for patients on CP for MDROs, HCWs appear to have differential risk for hand contamination based on their method of doffing PPE. An intervention as simple as reinforcing the preferred order of doffing may reduce HCW contamination with MDROs.

03:54 PM Abstract No. 39 When is a guidewire non-sterile?

Guidewires are used in nearly every interventional procedure and can be difficult to control at times due to their length and mobility, which can result in inadvertent contact with non-sterile surfaces in the procedure room, such as the fluoroscopy unit, CT bore, or floor. The purpose of this study is to determine whether this contact presents a significant infection risk to the patient. In this microbiology study, ten guidewires were selected after completion of a vascular procedure and streaked on agar plates both before and after contact with a fomite in the procedure room. A positive control plate containing bacteria from a keyboard and a sterile negative control plate were also included in the study. The plates were incubated at 90 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 days. No growth was observed from either the sterile wires or the contaminated wires. Growth was present on the positive control plate. No growth was present on the negative control plate. Inadvertent intra-procedural contact of sterile guidewires with fomites in the procedure room is unlikely to pose a significant infection risk to the patient.

What is “typical” restaurant design today?

More and more patrons and restaurant owners are acknowledging that acoustic comfort contributes to an enjoyable experience. So, what is the “typical” design and the “typical” acoustics of restaurants and similar hospitality spaces today? This paper will explore basic information for over 50 restaurants and hospitality spaces. Included in the data, we will consider room size, ceiling height, surface, and basic room acoustic. This will present a cross-section of the current industry designs and issues that the acoustic community faces today.

A new metric to predict perceived adequacy of illumination

Over recent years, mean room surface exitance has gained acceptance as a predictor of perceived adequacy of illumination. However, it can be argued that mean room surface exitance either cannot be applied or has limited value in a number of practical situations. This paper proposes the use of a new metric, mean indirect cubic illuminance, to be used instead of mean room surface exitance in complex situations commonly found in practice. The paper also demonstrates that mean room surface exitance and average mean indirect cubic illuminance have nearly the same numerical values.

Overheating mitigation in buildings: a computational exploration of the potential of phase change materials

Phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release thermal energy. The energy is stored when the material goes through a solid-to-liquid phase change, and released in the reverse process. Such materials can contribute to the mitigation of overheating in buildings, if their melting and solidification temperatures are in a suitable range. The present contribution entails a computational examination of this potential as relevant to overheating mitigation in typical residential units in the Central European context of Vienna, Austria. Thereby, multiple variations of PCM application (size, thickness, location, and application thickness) under different contextual settings (fenestration and insulation, boundary conditions in terms of weather) were simulated and comparatively evaluated. Results indicate that certain PCM application configurations can significantly influence indoor thermal condition. For instance, PCM elements with larger surface areas displayed a more pronounced effect as compared to bulkier elements with smaller surface areas. Likewise, ceiling-integrated PCM application was found to be more effective that those involving other room surfaces. The results also highlight the importance of rooms ventilation regime if the PCM application potential toward overheating mitigation is to be effectively harvested.

Experimental Evaluation of the Efficiency of Methods for Final Disinfective Treatment of Premises of the Large isolated Zones used for Work with Pathogenic Agents when Conducting Works with the Smallpox Virus

Objective . Determination of the effectiveness of final disinfection treatment of virological laboratory rooms (with the passageway room between two entries) in the isolated zone used for work with pathogenic agents, of the maximum containment laboratory by fumigation with formaldehyde vapors, including the assessment of the optimal amount of formalin. Experimental evaluation of the suitability of the aerosol generator “Ultrasprayer P-60” for the final disinfection of the premises of the “contagious” zone with the “dry steam” of hydrogen peroxide. Materials and methods . The effectiveness of the final disinfection of the surfaces in the premises of the “infectious” zone of the maximum containment laboratory was evaluated using cambric test objects contaminated by the spore-forming test-culture B. thuringiensis. Results and discussion . As a result of experimental studies, the required amount of formalin was determined that is sufficient to completely inactivate possible infectious contaminants that may be potentially located on the surfaces of equipment and rooms located in the “contagious” zone of the maximum containment laboratory, during fumigation with formaldehyde vapors. The amount of formalin specified experimentally turned out to be 1.4 times more than the recommended by regulatory documentation for unventilated rooms, but 2-2.5 times less than that used for final disinfection of maximum containment laboratory previously. Disinfection treatment of the premises and equipment located in the “contagious” zone of the laboratory with 6 % hydrogen peroxide “dry steam”, which is the active agent of Disargent drug, sprayed through the «Ultrasprayer р -60» aerosol generator, was more effective than spray irrigation with 6 % hydrogen peroxide aerosol generated using pneumatic aerosol nozzles. At the same time, it was possible to achieve sufficiently complete inactivation of the test microorganism located on test objects at a concentration of 1·10 6 cells/cm 2 , by increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide sprayed by the device up to 10 %. However, even in that case, viable test microorganisms remained in the hidden cavities of the equipment and office machinery, which makes further studies relevant to establish the optimal concentration of hydrogen peroxide during the final disinfection with an «Ultrasprayer р -60» aerosol generator or similar equipment from other manufacturers.

Fractals in architecture: The visual interest, preference, and mood response to projected fractal light patterns in interior spaces

The visual patterns of fractal stimuli on a computer screen and the brightness patterns of light projected onto room surfaces have independently been shown to influence human perceptual responses. It is not clear, however, what effect would result if the same fractal patterns were projected as light patterns on room surfaces. This paper reports on the results of three studies investigating visual interest, visual preference, and mood responses elicited by varying complexities of fractal light patterns projected on walls and floors of an interior space. The results suggest that fractal light patterns of medium to medium-high complexity (quantified by the fractal dimension D = 1.5–1.7) were significantly more visually interesting than other patterns. Crucially, viewing distance did not significantly influence visual interest or visual preference. Based on these studies, the use of medium to medium-high complexity fractal light patterns in interior spaces may be useful for enhancing occupants’ visual interest and mood.

Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and photocatalytic activities of metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

This study reports the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye (a class of dyestuffs that are resistant to biodegradation) under the influence of UV-light irradiation. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of ferrite nanoparticles (FO NPs) were examined against some pathogenic bacteria isolated from the medical operating room surfaces. In the same context, metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with nominal composition [MxCo1-xFe2O4 NPs; (M = Zn, Cu, Mn; x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75)] were synthesized by citrate sol-gel method. Also, the structures of the synthesized FO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and Williamson-Hall (WH) method was used to determine the crystallite size. The estimated specific surface area is found in the range from 37.99 to 107.05 m2/g, between the synthesized ferrites, Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 NPs have average pore radius 1.84 nm and the pore volume was 0.136 ml/g. SEM images revealed that, the synthesized FO NPs have an unique pores and uniformly distribution, while EDX spectra shows the elemental composition for the synthesized FO NPs. The elastic properties of FO NPs have been estimated using FTIR data, whereas (M − H) hysteresis loops revealed that, by replacing cobalt ions with Zn, Cu, and Mn ions the magnetic behaviour changed from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic. Results obtained from the photocatalysis indicated that Mn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs (30.0 mg) were a promising photocatalyst achieving 96.0% removal of MB after 100 min of UV-light exposure in the alkaline solution. Antibacterial results showed that the most effective combination was Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs (20.0 ppm) displaying activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus columbae, and Aerococcus viridians by 15.0, 13.0, and 12.0 mm ZOI, respectively. Additionally, Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs were active as antibiofilm factors producing activity by 63.7, 57.9, and 45.5% towards S. aureus, A. viridians, and E. columbae, respectively. Accordingly, Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 and Mn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs can be utilized in industrial, biological and medical applications.

A prospective study of transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) between environmental sites and hospitalized patients-the TransFER study.

Hospital environmental surfaces are frequently contaminated by microorganisms. However, the causal mechanism of bacterial contamination of the environment as a source of transmission is still debated. This prospective study was performed to characterize the nature of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) transmission between the environment and patients using standard microbiological and molecular techniques. Prospective cohort study at 2 academic medical centers. A prospective multicenter study to characterize the nature of bacterial transfer events between patients and environmental surfaces in rooms that previously housed patients with 1 of 4 'marker' MDROs: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Clostridium difficile, and MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Environmental and patient microbiological samples were obtained on admission into a freshly disinfected inpatient room. Repeat samples from room surfaces and patients were taken on days 3 and 7 and each week the patient stayed in the same room. The bacterial identity, antibiotic susceptibility, and molecular sequences were compared between organisms found in the environment samples and patient sources. We enrolled 80 patient-room admissions; 9 of these patients (11.3%) were asymptomatically colonized with MDROs at study entry. Hospital room surfaces were contaminated with MDROs despite terminal disinfection in 44 cases (55%). Microbiological Bacterial Transfer events either to the patient, the environment, or both occurred in 12 patient encounters (18.5%) from the microbiologically evaluable cohort. Microbiological Bacterial Transfer events between patients and the environment were observed in 18.5% of patient encounters and occurred early in the admission. This study suggests that research on prevention methods beyond the standard practice of room disinfection at the end of a patient's stay is needed to better prevent acquisition of MDROs through the environment.

Rate of surface contamination in the operating suite during revision total joint arthroplasty.

BackgroundThis study estimated operating room surface contamination rates during aseptic vs septic total joint arthroplasty and evaluated the similarity between clinically infecting organisms and those isolated from contaminated surfaces.MethodsPatients undergoing total hip and knee revision arthroplasties were identified, and surface and tissue samples were collected. Cases were classified aseptic or septic based on Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria for prosthetic joint infection. Positive surface cultures were compared with intraoperative tissue cultures. Positive cultures were speciated and tested for antimicrobial sensitivity.ResultsSamples were collected from 31 aseptic and 18 septic cases. Patients had similar demographics and time to explantation. Surface contamination rates for septic revisions were greater than those for aseptic revisions (77% vs 13%). During septic revisions, when intraoperative tissue cultures were positive, the surgical field was contaminated in 14 of 15 cases. The kappa correlation statistic for positive surgical cultures matching the surface sample was 0.9 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-1).ConclusionsSeptic revisions had a significantly higher rate of surgical field contamination than aseptic revisions. Cultures suggest that bacteria contaminating the septic revision surgical field likely originated from the infected joint. Although this observation seems obvious, it is an important piece of information when discussing best practices during a single-stage exchange revision. Further clinical studies will demonstrate the use of a preparation and reset period during a single-stage revision to remove contaminated surfaces.

Spatial and spectral illumination design for energy-efficient circadian lighting

Daily light-dark patterns incident on human eyes play an important role in maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm. The lack of daytime light in indoor spaces could negatively impact the occupants’ health and well-being in the long term. Therefore, applying circadian lighting in certain built environments is attractive.In this work, we introduce innovative methods for circadian lighting design and investigate the potential of efficacy improvement by comparing these methods with traditional lighting design approaches. For the spatial aspect, we show that the regular lighting design approach focusing on horizontal workplane illuminance could lead to a very inefficient delivery of indirect corneal illuminance compared with the proposed method of distributing initial flux to a highly reflective room surface; for the spectral aspect, it is shown that the traditional approach of pursuing high luminous efficacy could potentially lead to the worst-case scenario for circadian efficacy based on a four-component color-mixing analysis. Two leading spectral sensitivity models for the circadian system (i.e., the CLA model and the EML model) are compared, each of which leads to different trends of spectral circadian efficacy versus color temperature but the same strategy for spectral optimization. Based on the analysis in both the spatial and spectral aspects, a framework of efficient circadian lighting solutions is proposed to guide new good lighting design with health benefits. It is shown that the proposed new approaches can potentially improve the overall circadian lighting efficacy by up to 3.6 times.

On Deck Oil Spill Clean-Up Materials – Solution for Engine Rooms

Abstract The presence of flammable substances nearby hot surfaces in the engine rooms pose a fire hazard. Therefore the quick and effective removal of oil spills from these areas is of utmost importance. The simplest way is to use sorbent materials having the capacity to absorb oil substances. Oil sorbents comprise of a wide range of organic, inorganic and synthetic products. The choice of form and type of sorbent material depends on the intended application: type of spill, its size and location. The article describes the results of studies aimed to compare the absorbency of selected natural and synthetic sorbents in the context of their application in case of an oil spill in the engine room. Although the natural sorbents should not be used in water, because they absorb it and can in addition contaminate the seabed, they can be used to remove oil spills on the ship. After used they can be disposed on the ship by burning.

Numerical modelling of sound propagation in rooms bounded by walls with rectangular-shaped irregularities and frequency-dependent impedance

The objective of the work presented here was to develop a numerical model for simulating sound propagation in a confined environment while accurately taking account of the acoustic scattering and diffraction effects generated by the presence of geometrical relief on the room surfaces. To achieve this, two methods were combined: the Adaptive Rectangular Decomposition (ARD) method, for simulating the propagation in the enclosed space, and the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method, for accurately modelling the complex boundaries of the room being studied. Firstly, this paper presents a way of improving how account is taken of the Perfectly Matched Layers (PMLs) used to simulate absorption of the waves at the boundaries of the domain. It then describes in detail the method of creating Digital Impedance Filters (DIFs) and the way in which they were incorporated into the ARD method in order to simulate surfaces having relief and that are characterized by frequency-dependent impedance. The model was then compared with theoretical results obtained using the Kobayashi Potential (KP) method and with measurements of the reflected pressure field above a surface containing rectangular cavities under semi-anechoic conditions. Finally, another application of the numerical model was implemented in a real room delimited by surfaces having geometrical relief.

Bright paint makes interior-space surfaces appear farther away

Previous studies have reported that bright ceilings appear higher than dark ceilings, irrespective of the other colorimetric properties of the ceiling color (hue, saturation) and irrespective of the luminance of the remaining room surfaces (walls, floor). In the present study, we expand these findings to width and depth estimates. We presented stereoscopic full-scale room simulations on a head-mounted display and varied the luminance of the side walls, rear wall, and ceiling independently of each other. Participants judged the width and depth of the simulated rooms. Our results show that the perceived spatial layout of a given room is significantly influenced by the luminance of the direct bounding surfaces (e.g., the side walls when judging perceived width) but less affected by the luminance of the other surfaces. In the discussion, we provide an overall picture of effects of surface luminance on the perceived layout of interior spaces and discuss the conclusions in the context of existing interior-design guidelines.

Designing reverberation chambers for improved low frequency response

Most reverberation rooms are able to provide good diffusion and spatial uniformity in the reverberant field of the source at mid- and high-frequencies. Meeting the broadband spatial uniformity requirements for ANSI S12.51 (ISO 3741) is relatively easy to achieve in the frequency bands 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz provided that the recommended room volumes are used. However, meeting the spatial uniformity requirements becomes much more difficult when the desired frequency range includes frequency bands below 100 Hz and the room must meet the pure tone qualification criteria (as is required in AHRI 220). There are two techniques that can be used to improve the low frequency room response of a reverberation room. One is to select room dimensions that will provide near uniform spacing of the room modes in the low frequency bands. The second technique is to install low frequency absorbers to the surfaces of the reverberation room to lower the “Q” of the individual modes. This paper will re-introduce a new quantity (first introduced at Internoise 2012 in New York City) called the modal distribution factor, D2, and illustrate how it can be used to optimize the dimensions of any reverberation room within the space constraints of the proposed location. In addition, the paper will illustrate the design and acoustical performance of two very successful reverberation rooms that were conceived and constructed using these techniques.

Healthcare personnel exposure in an emergency department during influenza season.

IntroductionHealthcare personnel are at high risk for exposure to influenza by direct and indirect contact, droplets and aerosols, and by aerosol generating procedures. Information on air and surface influenza contamination is needed to assist in developing guidance for proper prevention and control strategies. To understand the vulnerabilities of healthcare personnel, we measured influenza in the breathing zone of healthcare personnel, in air and on surfaces within a healthcare setting, and on filtering facepiece respirators worn by healthcare personnel when conducting patient care.MethodsThirty participants were recruited from an adult emergency department during the 2015 influenza season. Participants wore personal bioaerosol samplers for six hours of their work shift, submitted used filtering facepiece respirators and medical masks and completed questionnaires to assess frequency and types of interactions with potentially infected patients. Room air samples were collected using bioaerosol samplers, and surface swabs were collected from high-contact surfaces within the adult emergency department. Personal and room bioaerosol samples, surface swabs, and filtering facepiece respirators were analyzed for influenza A by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsInfluenza was identified in 42% (53/125) of personal bioaerosol samples, 43% (28/ 96) of room bioaerosol samples, 76% (23/30) of pooled surface samples, and 25% (3/12) of the filtering facepiece respirators analyzed. Influenza copy numbers were greater in personal bioaerosol samples (17 to 631 copies) compared to room bioaerosol samples (16 to 323 copies). Regression analysis suggested that the amount of influenza in personal samples was approximately 2.3 times the amount in room samples (Wald χ2 = 16.21, p<0.001).ConclusionsHealthcare personnel may encounter increased concentrations of influenza virus when in close proximity to patients. Occupations that require contact with patients are at an increased risk for influenza exposure, which may occur throughout the influenza season. Filtering facepiece respirators may become contaminated with influenza when used during patient care.

A large healthcare-associated outbreak of hepatitis C virus genotype 1a in a clinic in Korea

BackgroundIn November 2015, reuse of needles and syringes in conjunction with an increase in cases of HCV at a clinic in Korea was reported and investigated by public health authorities. Patients who received injections at the clinic from the first time this infection control breach may have occurred in 2008 through 2015 when the practice was stopped were offered screening for HCV and other blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, HTLV, HBV, syphilis, and malaria. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess whether an outbreak of hepatitis C had occurred among the potentially exposed clinic patients due to this infection control breach. Study DesignWe performed hepatitis C viral RNA load tests and genotyping using plasma from hepatitis C antibody-positive individuals who had visited the clinic between May 2008 and November 2015. We analyzed the core-E2 and NS5B regions of the virus from RNA-positive samples by constructing a phylogenetic tree based on maximum likelihood analysis. To identify transmission risk factors and epidemiological relationships among the patients, we reviewed their medical records, assessed staff infection control practices and performed environmental inspection of the clinic. Environmental samples from medication room surfaces and medication vial contents were tested for HCV RNA. Results and ConclusionsAmong the 1721 patients tested, 96 were IgG-positive and 70 were viral RNA-positive. Among the 61 patients whose viral loads were greater than the detection limit, 41 (67.2%) were classified as genotype 1a, 1 (1.6%) as genotype 1b, 18 (29.5%) as genotype 1, and one (1.6%) as genotype 2. After sequencing, 12 genotype 1 cases were further classified as genotype 1a (11) or 1b (1). The sequences of the core-E2 and NS5B regions of 45 patients formed a monophyletic cluster distinct from genotype 1a. The hepatitis C virus sequences from patients and environmental specimens were well-matched in the partial E1 gene region. We detected genotype 1a RNA in environmental specimens, indicating a healthcare-associated outbreak caused by reuse of syringes and contaminated multi-dose vials. Our molecular epidemiological investigation of hepatitis C genotype 1a, rare in Korea, will aid investigations of infection sources during future pathogen outbreaks.

Calculation and measurement of mean room surface exitance: The accuracy evaluation

Cuttle proposed mean room surface exitance as a new interior lighting design methodology, which focuses on lit appearance rather than visual performance. A few challenges exist, among which, an easy calculation method and a practical measurement strategy are two important aspects. Cuttle has developed a simplified equation for mean room surface exitance calculation and proposed that mean room surface exitance can be estimated by measuring indirect corneal illuminance from a position that ‘ brings most of the space into view’; however, no solid proof was provided. In this work, first, we demonstrate that the simplified equation is reasonably accurate by comparing its predictions with the results based on numerical simulation of a wide range of surface reflectance combinations. Two luminaire locations, which are carefully selected to have the same input to the simplified equation but leading to very different surface exitance distributions, are adopted to further verify the simplified equation; second, through a theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, we show that both indirect corneal illuminance and indirect cylindrical illuminance vary significantly with the measurement location and can be very different from mean room surface exitance. Therefore, we conclude that the method of measuring mean room surface exitance suggested in prior publications may not provide accurate results.

The developing premature infant gut microbiome is a major factor shaping the microbiome of neonatal intensive care unit rooms

BackgroundThe neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) contains a unique cohort of patients with underdeveloped immune systems and nascent microbiome communities. Patients often spend several months in the same room, and it has been previously shown that the gut microbiomes of these infants often resemble the microbes found in the NICU. Little is known, however, about the identity, persistence, and absolute abundance of NICU room-associated bacteria over long stretches of time. Here, we couple droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), 16S rRNA gene surveys, and recently published metagenomics data from infant gut samples to infer the extent to which the NICU microbiome is shaped by its room occupants.ResultsOver 2832 swabs, wipes, and air samples were collected from 16 private-style NICU rooms housing very low birth weight (< 1500 g), premature (< 31 weeks’ gestation) infants. For each infant, room samples were collected daily, Monday through Friday, for 1 month. The first samples from the first infant and the last samples from the last infant were collected 383 days apart. Twenty-two NICU locations spanning room surfaces, hands, electronics, sink basins, and air were collected. Results point to an incredibly simple room community where 5–10 taxa, mostly skin-associated, account for over 50% of the amplicon reads. Biomass estimates reveal four to five orders of magnitude difference between the least to the most dense microbial communities, air, and sink basins, respectively. Biomass trends from bioaerosol samples and petri dish dust collectors suggest occupancy to be a main driver of suspended biological particles within the NICU. Using a machine learning algorithm to classify the origin of room samples, we show that each room has a unique microbial fingerprint. Several important taxa driving this model were dominant gut colonizers of infants housed within each room.ConclusionsDespite regular cleaning of hospital surfaces, bacterial biomass was detectable at varying densities. A room-specific microbiome signature was detected, suggesting microbes seeding NICU surfaces are sourced from reservoirs within the room and that these reservoirs contain actively dividing cells. Collectively, the data suggests that hospitalized infants, in combination with their caregivers, shape the microbiome of NICU rooms.

Effects of absorption placement on sound field of a rectangular room: A statistical approach

Room resonances create dramatic fluctuations in the distribution of sound pressure throughout the listening region of a room. Previous studies indicate that the addition of sound absorbing material decreases room resonances and shifts its modal characteristics. The present study proposes an approach which qualifies the effects that the additional absorption in a listening room may have on the sound fields and the frequency responses. Finite element analysis was employed for modelling the low-frequency responses of a room. The study analyses frequency responses at various listening positions involving different amounts and different placement of sound absorbents on room surfaces by observing standard deviation for linearity across a chosen frequency range. Two-dimensional sound field plots at listening height were also used to examine the spatial changes of room resonances caused by the additional absorption. The present study applied a modified statistical approach to evaluate both the sound field and the frequency responses of a room. The results were then applied to re-evaluate the effects of the absorbers location on the listening region through the proposed approach.