reaching sustainability in healthcare: strategies for a healthy indoor air quality in healing environments

Abstract

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is one of the main topics in which governments are focusing. In architectures for health, several researches are reporting a growing number of data analysis and research works in order to improve users’ health. Although many studies have been conducted related to the biological and physical risks, the chemical risks have been less investigated and only in some specific functional areas of the hospitals. Starting from some systematic reviews and research works, the paper aims to identify and list the best healthy practices for an adequate IAQ in inpatient wards. In particular, the handbook lists the solutions and strategies related to chemical pollution, starting from design and management, with a focus on (1) localization of hospitals and inpatient rooms, (2) hospital room, (3) microclimatic parameters, (4) ventilation systems, (5) materials and finishing, (6) furniture and equipment, (7) cleaning products and activities, (8) maintenance and (9) management activities, and (10) users and specific training of the workers. The multidisciplinary approach emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary knowledge and skills aimed to find solutions able to protect users’ health status. The design and management decision-making, ranging from the adequate choices of construction site and hospital exposure, finishing materials, cleaning and maintenance activities, etc., which can affect the IAQ must be carried out based on scientific research and data analysis.