The availability of HEPA-filtered rooms and the incidence of pneumonia in patients after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): results from a prospective, multicentre, eastern European study

• Authors: VOKURKA Samuel; BYSTRICKÁ Eva; SVOBODA Tomáš; ŠKODA GORICAN Irena Katja; SEVER Matjaz; MAZUR Ewa; KOPINSKA Anna; PAVLICOVÁ Vladislava; MOCANU Otilia; TANASE Alina; GHELASE Rodica; ZÍTKOVÁ Marie; LABUDÍKOVÁ Monika; RAIDA Ludek; NAVRÁTILOVÁ-HRABÁNKOVÁ Darja; BOCKOVÁ Jana
• Year of publication: 2014
• Type: Article in Periodical
• Magazine / Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing
• MU Faculty or unit: Faculty of Medicine
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12286
• Field: Other medical specializations
• Keywords: barrier nursing; HEPA; isolation; nursing; pneumonia; protection; stem cell; transplantation
• Description: To establish the availability of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) - and non Hepa filtered rooms in eastern European transplant centres and to investigate the impact on incidence of pneumonia and mortality after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Considering the pro and cons, we conclude that autologous HSCT may safety be performed in two-bed rooms and in rooms without HEPA filtration. However, single-bed rooms should always be favoured with respect to patient privacy, hygiene and transmission of other infections. Due to the almost significant trend for less pneumonia observed in HEpa-filtered rooms in the allogeneic HSCT group, we suggest that HEPA filtration should still be recommended and preferred in this setting with this group of patients.