Isolation Room

Service Details:

An isolation facility 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.

Isolation facilities include the following types:

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

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

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

Isolation rooms have fairly high rates of air exchange relative to other patient areas. This applies to both ventilation air supply and exhaust flow rates. Potential draughts within the patient room can result, therefore thermal comfort of the patient needs special attention. Consideration should be given to installing individual thermostats in each room so that air temperature and relative humidity can be controlled from within the room.