THE QUALITY OF AIR IN HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENTS CLIMATIZED AND ITS INFLUENCE IN THE OCCURRENCE OF INFECTIONS

SUMMARY: Climatized environment is defined as the environment where temperature and humidity are controlled. We have made a review of literature, from 1990 to 2001, through data base MEDLINE, LILACS and Ministry of Health – Brazil. The aim of this study was to analyze the air quality in climatized environment and the last as a risk factor for hospital infection – HI. Twenty-three articles where analyzed and gathered by the focused theme; patterns and principles for maintaining the air quality; air quality and isolation of microorganism; air quality and occurrence of infection. The standard of quality quotes: ventilation, maintenance and cleanness of climatization systems. Aspergillus, Legionella, Acinetobacter, Clostridium, Nocardia, among others where found in air conditioned devices and the first three ones being responsable for booms of HI. KEY WORDS: Air conditioning; Air quality; Cross infection