Design and Construction Points for Negative Pressure Isolation Ward in International Standards

Negative Pressure Isolation Ward in International Standards

An isolation ward aims to control the airflow in the room so that the number of airborne infectious particles is reduced to a level that ensures cross-infection of other people within a healthcare facility is highly unlikely. This may be achieved by:

Control of the quantity and quality of intake or exhaust air

Maintain different air pressures between adjacent areas

Designing airflow patterns for specific clinical procedures

Diluting infectious particles with large air volumes

Air filtration – HEPA filters, etc.

Classification of Isolation Wards

Isolation ward can be classified as the infectious isolation ward and the protective isolation ward (the isolation ward for curing the mental disease). The infectious isolation ward is also termed as the negative pressure isolation ward. It is mainly used for prevention of the airborne disease from infecting both the environment outside the ward and the people except for the patient. In occasions when there is no infectious patient inside, the isolation ward can be used as the ordinary ward. This has been clearly specified in the standard of some nations.

Neutral or standard room air pressure, for example standard air conditioning, also known as Class S

Positive room air pressure where an immune-compromised patient is protected from airborne transmission of any infection, Class P, including an Anteroom

Negative room air pressure, where others are protected from any airborne transmission from a patient who may be an infection risk, Class N, including an Anteroom

Negative room air pressure with additional barriers including an Anteroom, also known as Class Q for quarantine isolation.

Positive and Negative Air Pressure