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Air Solutions, LLC
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A Negative Pressure Medical Treatment Room A negative pressure isolation room is intended for a patient that has active M. Tb, SARS-CoV, or Chicken Pox (or other infectious disease transmitted by airborne means). The patient must be situated in a room that has a negative pressure atmosphere in relation to the area outside the room i.e., hallway. (Note: with recent world developments, M. Tb may not be the only pathogen or infectious agent that may be of concern.) With this in mind, let's talk about what an isolation room should be. The data presented here is based on various CDC recommendations, current OSHA regulations (CPL 2.106) and JCAHO standards (EC 3.2.1, 1.7 and 2.10.4). Other areas of the healthcare institution may have negative pressure isolation rooms such as: ICU, NICU, Maternity, the ER trauma room, etc. These rooms must meet the same requirements as those utilized for negative pressure TB isolation rooms. One area of the hospital, which is frequently overlooked, is the bronchoscocpy suite. Frequently this procedure is performed in a surgical suite, (which is positive pressure!) thereby forcing any pathogenic substances liberated by the procedure out into the hallway of the hospital. A bronchoscopy suite MUST be negative pressure to contain contaminants from infecting others. It would be advisable for UVGI to be included with the APS in that environment. The infectious isolation room is a regulated room. It is regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). It must meet the additional standards of JCAHO, if the healthcare facility is to be Joint Commission accredited. If the hospital is classified as an "acute care facility", it MUST have at least one (1) negative pressure isolation room by OSHA directive. The regulations by that body are intended to protect the Health Care Workers (HCW) from exposure to TB and other airborne pathogenic contaminants. Depending on State or local codes, your governmental health department may have additional jurisdiction over standards for isolation rooms. Because there are potentially four (4) organizations having some jurisdictional dominance over an isolation (negative pressure) room, it is imperative to understand who they are. OSHA: Who deems the room should have a minimum of -0.001" WC. CDC: Has not authoritative controls but recommends a minimum of –0.01" WC. AIA & JCAHO: Directs that a negative pressure medical treatment room have –0.005" WC. STATE: Some state health organizations have more stringent requirements (review your state codes) All newly constructed or renovated negative pressure rooms now (Jan 1, 2003) must have twelve (12) air exchanges per hour (ACH) instead of six (6).
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