Monteiro, AnaCabo Verde, Sandra2017-10-202017-10-202017-10Monteiro A, Cabo-Verde S. Bacterial bioburden in hospital environment. In: Viegas C, Viegas S, Gomes AQ, Täubel M, Sabino R, editors. Exposure to microbiological agents in indoor and occupational environments. Springer; 2017. p. 321-8.978-3-319-61688-9http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/7435Hospital buildings may be regarded as dynamic environments affected by season, weather conditions, indoor ventilation system design and operation, the intrusion of moisture, outdoor microbial load and the number of occupants, visitors and human activities. Airborne microorganisms, such as bacteria, can originate not only from humans (including patients), but can also be spawned by various indoor hospital characteristics and outdoor environmental sources. These factors may be associated with conditions for microbial growth, leading to bacterial air pollution. Poor hospital indoor air quality may cause hospital-acquired infections, sick hospital syndrome, and various occupational hazards. Therefore, ensuring effective disinfection procedures and regular monitoring measures of hospital environment is essential for microbial control by detecting the irregular introduction of airborne particles via clothing of visitors and medical staff or carriage by personal and medical materials. Achieving a satisfactory microbial control in hospitals environment is thus a multidisciplinary challenge for healthcare professionals, hospital managers, and occupational health.engBacterial bioburdenHospital environmentIndoor airOccupational healthbook part10.1007/978-3-319-61688-9_15