Field measurement on thermal comfort of patients and medical staff in a dialysis room

In order to evaluate the thermal environment and comfort of patients and medical staff in a dialysis room, field measurements were conducted for five seasons (November 2010 to February 2012). The thermal environment was measured for all five seasons, and questionnaires on thermal comfort in the dialysis room were distributed to both patients and staff members. Each patient reported his/her sensations twice during each treatment session for two days in each season, whereas each staff member voted twice per day for four days in each season. According to the thermal and humidity sensations reported in the questionnaires, the comfort zones for dialysis patients and medical staff were plotted on a psychrometric chart for spring, summer, and winter.