Indoor CO2 monitoring in a surgical intensive care unit under visitation restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: Frontiers in medicine 2023-07, Vol.10, p.1052452
• Main Authors: Chou, Ying-An, Wang, Zheng-Yao, Chang, Hsiang-Ching, Liu, Yi-Chia, Su, Pei-Fang, Huang, Yen Ta, Yang, Chao-Tung, Lai, Chao-Han
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: carbon dioxide; COVID-19 pandemic; indoor air quality; indoor environment monitoring system; intensive care unit; Medicine; visitation restriction
• ISSN: 2296-858X; 2296-858X
• DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1052452

Indoor CO2 concentration is an important metric of indoor air quality (IAQ). The dynamic temporal pattern of CO2 levels in intensive care units (ICUs), where healthcare providers experience high cognitive load and occupant numbers are frequently changing, has not been comprehensively characterized.BackgroundIndoor CO2 concentration is an important metric of indoor air quality (IAQ). The dynamic temporal pattern of CO2 levels in intensive care units (ICUs), where healthcare providers experience high cognitive load and occupant numbers are frequently changing, has not been comprehensively characterized.We attempted to describe the dynamic change in CO2 levels in the ICU using an Internet of Things-based (IoT-based) monitoring system. Specifically, given that the COVID-19 pandemic makes hospital visitation restrictions necessary worldwide, this study aimed to appraise the impact of visitation restrictions on CO2 levels in the ICU.ObjectiveWe attempted to describe the dynamic change in CO2 levels in the ICU using an Internet of Things-based (IoT-based) monitoring system. Specifically, given that the COVID-19 pandemic makes hospital visitation restrictions necessary worldwide, this study aimed to appraise the impact of visitation restrictions on CO2 levels in the ICU.Since February 2020, an IoT-based intelligent indoor environment monitoring system has been implemented in a 24-bed university hospital ICU, which is symmetrically divided into areas A and B. One sensor was placed at the workstation of each area for continuous monitoring. The data of CO2 and other pollutants (e.g., PM2.5) measured under standard and restricted visitation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic were retrieved for analysis. Additionally, the CO2 levels were compared between workdays and non-working days and between areas A and B.MethodsSince February 2020, an IoT-based intelligent indoor environment monitoring system has been implemented in a 24-bed university hospital ICU, which is symmetrically divided into areas A and B. One sensor was placed at the workstation of each area for continuous monitoring. The data of CO2 and other pollutants (e.g., PM2.5) measured under standard and restricted visitation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic were retrieved for analysis. Additionally, the CO2 levels were compared between workdays and non-working days and between areas A and B.The median CO2 level (interquartile range [IQR]) was 616 (524-682) ppm, and only 979 (0.34%) data points obtained