Humidity and Infection Control

[ChristopherH]

In what way does humidity generally affect infection control and pathogen transmission during these colder months? I ask because in my nursing home the management has recently banned the use of humidifier's in the rooms of resident's for reasons related to infection control. I just read an article however stating that influenza virus, for one, generally transmits in colder and dryer air, and not in more humid air at all.

[Katnip, RN]

There are some studies out there that address this issue. I remember one that showed increased humidity in ORs did not have a significant impact on infection rates. Another study, if I recall, shows that as humidity goes down and heat goes up, as in winter, pediatric populations have an increase in respiratory infections. Not surprising.

There are probably others out there that refute the above.

If I had time, I'd dig through all that. Your nursing home should have an infection control professional somewhere who can look into it. The CDC site also has information.

edited to add: I just looked. The CDC recommends an ideal home humidity of 40-60%. I'm guessing that would include nursing homes and hospitals as this discourages growth of mold, mildew, mites, and others.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

In what way does humidity generally affect infection control and pathogen transmission during these colder months? I ask because in my nursing home the management has recently banned the use of humidifier's in the rooms of resident's for reasons related to infection control. I just read an article however stating that influenza virus, for one, generally transmits in colder and dryer air, and not in more humid air at all.

They have been banned in our LTC for several years-mainly because no-one wants to write a policy for their use and cleaning. I have seen them in other nursing homes and they can get pretty nasty if no one takes care of them.Our residents (and staff) really suffer from the dry heat-lots of bloody noses and dry skin.

[Smokey9283]

I don't think that the concern is so much infection spreading in the air, as micro organisms accumulating and multipying in he water tank. Remember, bacteria like warm, moist, dark areas. If LTC facilities or hospitals allowed these machines into there facilities and they weren't cleaned, they are risking severe infectionious diseases to be thrown into the air in droplets.

[Lexxie, LPN]

I agree that it has more to do with keeping it clean than anything else. We had one once, at the insistence of family members. It was noted on the TAR to be cleaned weekly by 3-11 shift. Guess what? No one cleaned it when it was supposed to be.