A performance assessment of airborne infection isolation rooms

Background Airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) help prevent the spread of infectious agents in hospitals. The performance of 678 AIIRs was evaluated and compared with construction design guidelines. Methods The pressure differentials (ΔP) between the isolation rooms and adjacent areas were me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of infection control 2007-06, Vol.35 (5), p.324-331
Main Authors: Saravia, Stefan A., MPH, Raynor, Peter C., PhD, MSEE, Streifel, Andrew J., MPH
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Microbiology - standards
Biological and medical sciences
Cross Infection - prevention & control
Environment, Controlled
Epidemiology. Vaccinations
Facility Design and Construction
Filtration
General aspects
Guideline Adherence - standards
Humans
Infection Control
Infection Control - methods
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Medical sciences
Minnesota
Particulate Matter - analysis
Patient Isolation
Risk Management
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ventilation
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Summary:Background Airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) help prevent the spread of infectious agents in hospitals. The performance of 678 AIIRs was evaluated and compared with construction design guidelines. Methods The pressure differentials (ΔP) between the isolation rooms and adjacent areas were measured, and ventilation and construction details were recorded for each room. Ultrafine particle concentrations were evaluated in the rooms, surrounding areas, and ventilation systems serving the rooms. Measurements were analyzed as a function of room parameters. Results Only 32% of the isolation rooms achieved the recommended ΔP of −2.5 Pascals (Pa) relative to surrounding areas. AIIRs with solid ceilings had an average ΔP of −4.4 Pa, which was significantly higher than the average ΔP of −2.0 Pa for rooms with dropped ceilings ( P = .0002). Isolation room ultrafine particle concentrations were more highly correlated with particle levels in surrounding areas ( R2 = 0.817) than in the ventilation systems serving the rooms ( R2 = 0.441). Almost all ventilation filters serving AIIRs collected fewer particles than anticipated. Conclusion The results indicate that hospitals are not all maintaining AIIRs to correspond with current guidelines. The findings also support the contention that having tightly sealed rooms helps maintain appropriate pressure differentials.
ISSN:0196-6553
1527-3296
DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2006.10.012