Current Projects

CFD Analysis of a TB Ward

Upper room UV Effectiveness

Ionisers for Infection Control

Hospital Monitoring

Past Research Projects

Below are a list and description of some of the past research projects undertaken by the PCE.

An Evidence Based Model for Establishing the Performance of Hospital Ventilation Systems.

Funder: NHS Estates, duration: 2 years, value: £130K

The aim of this study is to produce evidence based models for assessing the relative risk of acquiring an airborne infection in a hospital and establishing the performance criteria for mechanical ventilation systems hospitals. Through a combination of literature review, hospital ward sampling, targeted laboratory experiments and mathematical modelling, the project intends to identify where and how mechanical ventilation should be used in hospitals. This data will benefit architects and engineers involved with hospital design as well as clinicians looking to optimise infection control strategies. The results will also inform the re-write of Health Technical Memorandum 2025, providing evidence based guidelines for the ventilation of healthcare facilities.

Investigators and researchers: Dr Andy Sleigh, Dr Cath Noakes, Dr Mary Page, Prof Kevin Kerr ( Harrogate District Hospital ), Prof Clive Beggs ( University of Bradford )

The Use of Small Negative Air Ions to Disinfect Acinetobacter spp. and other Airborne Pathogens in Hospital Buildings

Funder: EPSRC, duration: 3 years, value: £280K

This project follows on from a successful pilot study in the intensive care unit at St James's Hospital, Leeds , which demonstrated the potential for negative ionisers to be used to reduce the transmission of airborne infection in hospitals. The study involves complementary experimental and CFD modelling work to understand the physical and biological processes that occur when airborne microorganisms are exposed to negative ions. The study aims to investigate these fundamental processes to gain an understanding of the potential for using ionisers in tackling hospital-acquired infection. The project will examine how and where ionisers could be used, producing results of great value to those involved with infection control in hospitals.

Investigators and researchers: Dr Andy Sleigh, Dr Louise Fletcher, Dr Cath Noakes, Prof Kevin Kerr(Harrogate District Hospital), Prof Clive Beggs (University of Bradford), Dr Stephen Dean (St James's University Hospital)

The use of small negative air ions to disinfect MRSA and other airborne pathogens in UK hospital buildings (clinical pilot study)

Sponsors : NHS Estates.
Investigators : Dr CB Beggs, Dr KG Kerr, Dr JK Donnelly, Dr PA Sleigh, and Prof. DD Mara.
Duration : 18 months. Start: March 2000. Value: £101k

The project is a clinical pilot study which investigates the use of small negative air ions to disinfect airborne microbial pathogens in a hospital ward space. The project involves placing air ionisers within an intensive care ward, which has a history of nosocomial infection, and measuring the impact on both the bioburden and subsequent infection rates.

UV disinfection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne pathogens in hospital buildings

Sponsors : EPSRC .
Investigators : Dr CB Beggs, Dr KG Kerr, Dr JK Donnelly, Dr PA Sleigh, and Prof. DD Mara.
Duration : 36 months. Start: May 2000. Value: £219k.

The project follows on from the initial clinical pilot study sponsored by NHS Estates. It investigates in detail the aerobiology associated with the transmission of tuberculosis and other infections in hospital buildings. In particular, the project studies the photobiology associated with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and seeks to optimise the air disinfection capability of ultraviolet germicidal lamps through experimental work and CFD analysis.

The monitoring of UK desiccant cooling systems and optimisation of solar desiccant cooling technology

Sponsors : DETR in collaboration with GAIA Research .
Investigators : Dr CB Beggs, Dr PA Sleigh, S Halliday ( GAIA Research ).

This project involves the monitoring and analysis of two public buildings in the UK which utilise a desiccant cooling system and the development of computer based models to evaluate the performance of, and optimise, a desiccant cooling system coupled to solar panels.

The ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne pathogens in hospital buildings

Sponsors : NHS Estates in collaboration with Hanovia Ltd and BARO UK Ltd.
Investigators : Dr CB Beggs, Dr KG Kerr, Dr JK Donnelly, Dr PA Sleigh, and Prof. DD Mara.
Duration : 18 months. Start: December 98. Value: £83k.

The project is a clinical pilot study which investigates the air disinfection effectiveness of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lamps placed in a hospital ward space. It is the initial project in a programme of research which will investigate the use of engineering technologies to control airborne pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureaus (MRSA).