DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjs.2025.v11i07.005

Pages: 787-795

Introduction: Recently, infectious diseases caused by airborne bacteria and viruses have been of primary global concern for social and economic reasons. HEPA is an acronym for high-efficiency particulate absorption filters. The preventable proportion of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) may decrease over time as standards of care improve. Most hospitals do not effectively track, report, or prevent non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), despite it being one of the most prevalent and morbid healthcare-associated illnesses. We assessed the use of portable HEPA filters in open settings, i.e., in general wards, to improve hospital indoor air quality in given hospital-acquired pulmonary infections. Aims and Objectives: To measure the efficacy of HEPA filters used in an open setting in preventing/reducing HAIs& improving indoor hospital air quality by the incidence of hospital-acquired respiratory/pulmonary infections and air culture studies. Materials and Methods: Portable HEPA filters were placed in the test group ward, i.e., for patients with various diagnoses. The rate of respiratory infections was compared with the control group ward, i.e., the ward without the filter. Periodical air cultures were done in respective wards during this study period. Results: A prospective comparative study was conducted during July 2020 till October 2022 in the surgical wards of BLDE DU Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Vijayapura. There were 250 patients in the study, with 125 each in the test and control groups. All patients included in the study were evaluated in terms of history, physical findings, and chest x-ray findings. Periodical air cultures were taken in both wards, and reports were noted. Periodical data values of the HEPA filter arranged in the test group were noted. There were no significant differences in the incidence of respiratory infections between the groups, i.e., pneumonia changes in chest radiographs (CXRs). 27 patients among test gro