Jixuan Bao

How does the air distribution affect indoor air quality in a hospital?

✓ På plats

✓ Online

✓ Åk 7-9

✓ Gymnasiet

✓ Arbetsplats/
organisation

✓ Engelska

✓ Infection control

✓ Ventilation

✓ Air quality

I am a doctoral student at Aalto University in Finland, and my research focuses on the problem of indoor airborne transmission in hospital patient rooms. Simply put, I study how air moves inside hospitals, how it carries tiny particles and pathogens, and how we can design ventilation systems in indoor environments to make them safer for patients, staff, and visitors.

My academic background combines healthcare, air quality, and human wellness with a foundation in architecture design, allowing me to look at this challenge from both technical and human-centered perspectives.

Why is this research necessary? Hospitals are places where people come to recover. Still, reports showed that over 4 million hospital patients acquire a healthcare-associated infection in the EU each year. Airborne pathogens, such as influenza or coronaviruses, are transmitted through tiny droplets and aerosols that can remain suspended in the air. In a patient room, especially when multiple patients are present, the risk of one infected person passing on illness to others can be very high. Traditional ventilation systems in hospitals are often designed mainly for temperature control or energy efficiency, but they may not be optimized to prevent infections. Improving indoor air systems in hospitals is, therefore, a crucial step in building safer and healthier healthcare environments.

The project I am part brings together 8 leading academic teams, 4 healthcare facilities, and 8 partners from the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry. The goal is to rethink how we design hospital indoor climates by focusing on human needs and safety. The vision is to develop hospital environments that minimize infection risks and ensure comfort, safety, and sustainability.

My research within this large project focuses on air distribution methods in hospital patient rooms, particularly in a double-bed patient room. I use experimental methods to investigate how different ventilation strategies can protect patients and healthcare workers from airborne transmission. For example, I study how heat gained from weather, medical equipment, or human bodies affects airflow patterns.

The potential impact of this research is significant. For patients, it can mean fewer hospital-acquired infections and faster recovery. For healthcare staff, it provides safer working conditions, which is essential during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking ahead, my research and the broader HumanIC project aim to translate these findings into practical solutions that can be implemented in real hospitals across Europe and beyond. By combining experimental results, computer simulations, and collaboration with healthcare and industry partners, we hope to create hospital environments that are resilient, safe, and sustainable.

At a time when global health challenges remind us of the importance of infection prevention, improving hospital air systems is not just a technical issue—it is a vital step in protecting lives and enhancing healthcare quality.

Kort om Jixuan Bao

Ålder: 26
Därför forskar jag: I am passionate about building a healthy environment for vulnerable people in the hospital, combining the knowledge of building technology and medical care.