Development application of FMEA risk assessment model for indoor air pollutants in healthcare organizations: Focus on suspended particles and bioaerosols in hospitals

This study aimed to develop the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Decision Matrix Risk Assessment (DMRA) technique for the first time to assess risks associated with particulate matter (PM) and bioaerosol transmission in hospitals. The risks were prioritized by calculating the Risk Priority Number (RPN). Control measures were suggested to mitigate indoor air pollution. In this study, a group of healthcare experts was selected to form an assessor team from four hospitals in Iran. The validity and reliability of the FMEA checklist were assessed using the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach Alpha coefficients. The data was collected and reported in checklist format. The Cronbach Alpha and ICC coefficients in the study were 0.619 and 0.913, respectively, confirming the validity of the FMEA model for assessing indoor pollutants in hospitals. The RPN ranged from 36 to 468 for the 19 identified risks.•First-time application of FMEA model and DMRA risk assessment for indoor pollutants were developed•The validity of the FMEA model was confirmed for hospitals' indoor pollutants risk assessment•Risk priorization and control measures were proposed to mitigate indoor air pollution effects by developing the DMRA technique.