Abstract:
The occurrence of fungus from dampness in healthcare facilities is harmful to both patients and healthcare staffs. In hospital, a place that has the exact standard and needs in controlling indoor environments, fungus should not be found. This research was an Empirical Research which conducted to examine the physical characteristics of recurrent fungus areas in air-conditioned hospital and causes which related to the occurrence of Fungus in air-conditioned hospital. The study covered on collecting data and pictures, interviewed the authorized staffs in actual areas, including the usage of physical parameters, and hospitals documents, to see the pattern and common characteristics of the studied fungus areas in order to find cause and factors that concerned. As a result, there are 4 types of the study areas which are Ward (In Patient Department), ICU (Intensive Care Unit), OPD (Out Patient Department), ADM (Administration). And there are 5 spots where fungus has been noticed which are Furniture, Ceiling, Air Condition Grill, Wall, and Floor. In each type of area, can be found the fungus's characteristics differently, recurrent fungus on the ceilings can be found in every types of area, while recurrent fungus on air-condition grills can be found only in Wards, recurrent fungus on walls can be found in two types of area, Intensive Care Unit and Out Patient Department. However, recurrent fungus on furnitures in Intensive Care Unit has nowhere to be found. The research showed that some characteristics of the studied areas are relevant to types of the area and the functions of the area, including an appearance of the fungus in the area. Temperature, relative humidity, Air flow and surface materials of areas with occurrence of fungus are the factors that relate to the occurrence of fungus in healthcare facilities.