Ye Meng Dan, Li Ning Ning, Li Wen, Wu Qi Han, Wang Ying Ying, Li Bing Ru, Sheng Yuan
School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
Front Public Health. 2025 Aug 29;13:1634327. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1634327. eCollection 2025.
This study aimed to quantify aerosol and microbial exposure levels during different working hours, analyze temporal air pollution trends in the endoscopy suite, and provide evidence to optimize infection prevention strategies.
A portable laser particle counter and an airborne bacteria sampler were used to measure aerosol particle concentrations and microbial loads at four time points: before the commencement of work (baseline), and 1, 2, and 3 h after work initiation. Continuous data collection was conducted over 10 consecutive working days. Air quality assessments were performed through scientific evaluation according to relevant international and national standards.
Qualified rates for aerosols ≥0.5 μm increased by 20-30% during the 3 working hours compared to baseline levels. Microbial qualified rates remained at 100% throughout the study period. Aerosol concentrations across all particle sizes significantly increased with working hours ( 0.01). The growth rate of 5-10 μm aerosols was higher than that of 0.3-5 μm particles ( 0.01). After 3 h, concentrations of 0.5-25 μm and 0.3-10 μm aerosols increased by 1.48-fold and 1.3-fold compared to baseline values. Total microbial colonies positively correlated with work duration, polyp detection frequency, biopsy procedures performed, and procedure duration ( 0.05). Microbial analysis identified 12 species, predominantly bacteria (79.6%) and fungi (20.4%).
This study highlights trends in aerosol and microbial contamination over time and identifies four factors influencing microbial counts in the endoscopy suite. We propose some recommendations to reduce exposure risks for HCWs and patients.
本研究旨在量化不同工作时间内的气溶胶和微生物暴露水平，分析内镜检查室的空气污染时间趋势，并为优化感染预防策略提供证据。
使用便携式激光粒子计数器和空气传播细菌采样器在四个时间点测量气溶胶颗粒浓度和微生物负荷：工作开始前（基线）、工作开始后1小时、2小时和3小时。连续10个工作日进行数据收集。根据相关国际和国家标准通过科学评估进行空气质量评估。
与基线水平相比，在3个工作小时内，≥0.5μm气溶胶的合格率提高了20%-30%。在整个研究期间，微生物合格率保持在100%。所有粒径的气溶胶浓度均随工作时间显著增加（P<0.01）。5-10μm气溶胶的增长率高于0.3-5μm颗粒（P<0.01）。3小时后，0.5-25μm和0.3-10μm气溶胶的浓度分别比基线值增加了1.48倍和1.3倍。总微生物菌落与工作时长、息肉检测频率、活检操作次数和操作时长呈正相关（P<0.05）。微生物分析鉴定出12个物种，主要是细菌（79.6%）和真菌（20.4%）。
本研究突出了气溶胶和微生物污染随时间的变化趋势，并确定了影响内镜检查室微生物数量的四个因素。我们提出了一些建议以降低医护人员和患者的暴露风险。
