Assessing airborne pathogen exposure in hospital wards using a distance-based modeling technique

Positioning nursing staff in hospital wards to patients is crucial for estimating infection risk, as the time distribution across interpersonal distances between nursing staff and patients significantly determines the inhalation fraction and, thus, the infection risk. Therefore, the study proposed a distance-based inhalation model for assessing spatial exposure to airborne pathogens in in-ward cubicles, where the movement data collected in a simulated ward was utilized to estimate the airborne pathogen exposure in this specific movement profile. Further demonstrations explored the impact of different bed arrangements in hospital wards and the distributions of exposure fractions through short-range inhalation on spatial exposure. The results indicated that different bed arrangements substantially impacted the probability of nurse stay and the associated exposure during a work shift. These findings offer valuable insights for targeted strategies to minimize close contact, improve ward management, and enhance infection control practices in healthcare facilities, contributing to improved occupant safety and well-being.